SEEK Intro to Critical Thinking Workshop
This section is still under heavy construction!
Section RWR 3
Monday-Thursday, August 1-18
10 AM-12:30 PM
You should bring a notebook with pages that are easy to remove and a folder to hold completed assignments and readings that will be given out. You will also need a small supplementary notebook to use as a writing journal.
A note on electronic gadgets:
Please TURN OFF CELL PHONES before class. Calls during class time are disrespectful and distract the rest of the class. iPods have no place here either, as they distract you from what’s going on and the sound distracts your classmates. iPads/Tablets, Netbooks, etc are allowed provided that they are used for note-taking and/or access to online dictionaries ONLY. If you are caught checking Facebook, playing games, etc. during classtime, I will ask you to leave the class.
Course Description:
The objective of this class is to introduce you to college level work while improving reading, writing, and interpretive skills. We’ll do this by interpreting short reading assignments, audio, and possibly films. Expect several in class writing assignments of varying length per week, and some to be completed at home. You’ll also be expected to discuss readings, films, etc. with classmates. The main themes are the difference between summary and analysis, how to interpret texts, essay writing, and effective study/reading strategies. By extensive practice reading and writing, you will become more familiar with the skills required for college courses. There will also be occasional quizzes to keep you sharp and a final research paper.
We’ll also review some grammar and similar necessary—though not very fun—English stuff. This will be on an “as needed” basis, as I find that grammar and writing rules are similar to Opera and arsenic: too much can be fatal, but a little bit do no harm.
Course Requirements:
Regular attendance. More than 1 absence (excused or not) will get you dropped from the course. If you anticipate problems making it to class, you should enroll in a different section.
Participation in class discussions and timely completion of written and reading assignments
An online writing journal
One short (5-10 minute) oral presentation on your research project
Completion of a research paper
A current New York Public Library card. The closest branch is the Hamilton Grange at 503 W. 145th St. in Manhattan. 212-926-2147. Note: We'll also be taking a field trip there as a class.
Assessment
Will be on the scale of A-F for research and formal assignments with a final Pass/Fail grade for the course. Passing grades for the course will be based on the following criteria: Attendance (10%), quizzes (30%), blog posts/journal (30%), final research paper (30%).
Communication
Much of the course material will be on this website, which you should check regularly. You will also set up blogs of your own and link them. E-mail is the best way to contact me and I check it several times a day. I will not answer course-related questions via Facebook.
Note that a key course objective is building college and life skills. For this reason, you should have a professional, adult-sounding e-mail address. If you must, set up a different address for use with professors and/or potential employers. Also, you should proofread and spellcheck e-mail, blog posts, and all other communication with me. “LOL-speak” is not acceptable and reflects poorly on your ability to do college and other forms of work.
Course Schedule note: separate assignment sheets will be distributed for all formal assignments and will be posted online. Changes to the syllabus and final details will be announced in class and revisions will be posted here.
Week 1: Course introduction and intro to Critical Inquiry
Week 2: Research Strategies
Day 4: Monday, August 8: Trip to NYPL Hamilton Grange branch for research intro. Assignment:
Day 5: Tuesday, August 9: In-class workshop on final papers. Assignment: Continue working on final paper.
Day 6: Wednesday, August 10: CCNY Library Visit. Assignment: Continue working on final paper.
Day 7: Thursday, August 11: Assignment: Continue working on research paper.
Week 3: Presentation of research and critical analysis
Day 4: Monday, August 15: Assignment:
Day 5: Tuesday, August 16: Final papers due. In-class workshop on final papers. Assignment: Continue working on final paper.
Day 6: Wednesday, August 17: Student presentations. Assignment:
Day 7: Thursday, August 18: Student presentations (continued) and wrap-up
