Speech Communication ~~ Reedley College ~~ Fall 2009

Speech 25: Argumentation

Instructor:  Linda Carvalho Cooley 

Office Phone: 638-3641 ext 3126                                    Office: Annex 5

E-mail: Linda.Cooley@reedleycollege.edu       Web Page: www.speechideas.net

Check webpage for current office hours

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with the techniques necessary for effective public argument. This course focuses on how to develop effective, ethical, reasoned arguments accompanied by the critical thinking skills required to judge the validity of others’ arguments. This course fulfills the G.E. requirement for Critical Thinking (Foundation A3). G.E. credit requires a grade of “C” or better.

Classroom Deportment

Each student is expected to respect the rights of the other students in the class and the instructor.  The exploration of controversial ideas is an essential component of this class. Students who do not behave in a respectful manner will be asked to drop the class.  When presentations are in progress students arriving late are to stay outside until the presentation is complete. Interrupting a presentation for any reason other than a severe emergency is inconsiderate and will not be tolerated. Cell phones, and pagers should be turned off before coming to class.

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 This schedule and syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor – it is the responsibility of the student to check on announcements made during any absence.

Student Rights

Students are encouraged to become familiar with the “Campus Policies” section of the Schedule of Courses.  This material includes information regarding cheating and plagiarism, disruptive classroom behavior, and other instructional issues.

 Students with disabilities: If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (i.e., Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.   

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and principles of argumentation through oral argument.
2. Formulate arguments for oral presentations using various methods of reasoning.
3. Analyze research to develop and defend arguments through oral presentations and refutation.
4. Identify and evaluate oral arguments.
5. Recognize logical fallacies of reasoning.
6. Analyze audiences and adapt arguments to audiences.

Specific Course Objectives

 At the completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Identify and operationalize the elements of an argument--including identifying and clearly stating a claim and generating support for that claim
2. Identify common argumentative fallacies and structure arguments based upon sound inductive and deductive reasoning. 
3. Generate reasoned arguments to support controversial claims about contemporary social issues that are responsive to audience communities and alternative viewpoints

4. Evaluate arguments in terms of their ethical and effective contributions to deliberative communities
5. Present arguments in clear, concise, effective oral and written presentations
6. Understanding the relationship between language and logic.
7. Distinguishing matters of fact from issues of judgment or opinion
8. Identifying and providing examples of the role of critical thinking in society. 

Assignments

The following numerical guidelines will be used in the assignment of final grades.

900-1000   =    A

800-899     =    B

700-799     =    C

600-699     =    D

599- 0        =    F

Just a Note Regarding My Teaching Philosophy

If you are absent do not approach me to ask “what did we do when I was gone?” Each student must assume full responsibility for all notes, assignments or announcements made during class.  I cannot and will not re-teach a lesson in my office or in the hallway before or after a class. My power point presentations are for students who come to class – students who are not in class will have to rely on the book or notes from a friend. Just because you miss class when an assignment is given out or when an assignment is due does NOT excuse you or extend the due date.

Attendance

Due to the nature of this course, attendance is important. Roll will be taken at each class session.  Understanding that perfect attendance can only happen in a utopian world each student is allowed 3 unexcused absences. I suggest you use them well. Students who have 4 or more unexcused absences will deplete their participation points. Students with more than five unexcused absences will not be allowed to submit any extra credit assignments. Arriving late to class and leaving early are unacceptable and will result in a grade reduction. Four tardies or early departures are considered the equivalent of one absence. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their absences. Excused absences are verifiable, documented and only occur under unavoidable circumstances. Exceptions are only made for school-sponsored functions (e.g. forensics tournaments, school sports, specific school field trips).

Please note that all excused absences MUST have verifiable documentation by a reputable source. (This does not include your parents!) All documentation must be submitted to the instructor NO later than one week following the absence. I will no longer accept any documentation beyond one week!

Please note that work schedules, lost keys or vacations are not excused absences. Also please inform the instructor in advance for any scheduled absences, but understand that this will not excuse them.

Please be aware that I WILL enforce this policy and will not make exceptions!

It is your responsibility to keep track of your absences and tardies not mine. At any time during the semester you may email me to see where you stand.

Late and Missed Assignments

I will NOT accept any emailed or handwritten papers.

I have a very strict policy on late work.

ALL WORK IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS –

DO NOT COME IN LATE AND ASSUME I WILL ACCEPT YOUR WORK.

Additional Point Assignments

In addition to the assignments I will be offering limited extra credit assignments. They will be briefly announced in class and posted on the classroom web page. It is the student’s responsibility to look them up and turn them in by the deadline posted on the webpage.  Extra credit assignments submitted by students who have missed debates or have five or more unexcused absences will not be accepted. Extra credit points can only be earned by students who have attempted all assignments. Their sole purpose is to enhance learning not to take the place of assignments.   

Brief Descriptions of Assignments:

Art As Argumentation: Students will prepare a presentation no longer than 5 minutes in which they will illustrate to the class how artistic works can be an argument. Grading will be based on presentation, and a handout showing the argument. These presentations will be assigned and must be presented on their assigned dates. I will not allow extensions or make ups.

Movie Analysis: In class we will view a movie that makes several claims. Students will take notes and evaluate the arguments set forth by the movie. A two page evaluation and explanation of the arguments will be turned in. They must be typed and will not be accepted late.

Debates: Debate dates will be pre-assigned. I do not allow anyone to give their debates on a day other than their assigned date. Do not ask for an extension. If you are unable to present on your assigned date you will be given a 0 on that presentation. I will only allow make up debates for severe medical excuses. Make ups will be on the basis of time available. Debates will include SPAR and Cooperative formats. Each student will participate in 2 spar debates. SPAR stands for SPontaneous ARgumentation.  These debates are short impromptu debates. Each student will also participate in one Cooperative Debate. The cooperative debate will be a group assignment where a dyad will formally debate another dyad on a controversial local, national or world issue. These debates will follow modified Parliamentary Debate format and will be researched in advance. More information regarding the grade distribution and formats will be given in class at a later time.   

Reflection Papers: Each student will write two reflection papers. These will be assigned with a due date and will not be accepted late. They must be typed and turned in at the beginning of class. Reflection papers must be two pages and typed. Each student will be asked to review the prompt given and type a two page (12 font, Times New Roman, Courier New or similar font, double spaced) opinionated paper. This critique should include terminology from the textbook. 

Quizzes & Final: There will be three exams in this class. The final exam is comprehensive but will only contain items either previously tested or from the final content of the course. Material for the exams will come from lectures, reading assignments and class discussions.