Critical Thinking into Critical Writing

Critical Thinking into Critical Writing

General Information

Description

This course teaches students how to develop critical thinking into logical and well-formed arguments which can further be incorporated into academic writing. Special attention will be paid to constructing and evaluating arguments. This course will also focus on some foundations of academic research paper writing, such as summaries, critiques, and overall patterns. Classroom discussion will be based on topics in the social sciences and humanities. This course will be taught completely in English.

Course Content

  • Critical Thinking
  • Argument Structure
  • Features of Academic Writing
  • Writing General-specific Texts
  • Problem, Process, and Solution
  • Data Commentary
  • Summaries
  • Critiques
  • The Moves and Steps in Research Papers

Course Objectives

One primary aim of this course is to develop students’ ability to construct and evaluate arguments (often referred to as critical thinking). Students will learn not only how to support an argument but also how to evaluate and determine the strength and validity of an argument.

In addition to critical thinking, students will also develop academic research writing abilities by incorporating sound argument structures and common rhetorical functions into their writing and apply these abilities to their learning of other academic and professional courses.

 

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  1. Create and map original arguments.
  2. Evaluate the effectiveness of arguments.
  3. Critically evaluate and analyze a variety of texts for academic purposes.
  4. Identify features of academic writing and apply the knowledge of academic writing to organizing ideas into a logical and coherent text.
  5. Recognize relevant rhetorical structures used in constructing research papers.
  6. Develop proof-reading and self-editing skills.

Course Expectations

  • Class attendance and participation are required. If students are absent for more than 3 classes in a semester or often come late and/or leave early, their final course grade may be negatively impacted.
  • Lectures are presented in English.All student work will be submitted in English. Class discussions should be conducted for the most part in English.
  • This course is not open to undergraduates or auditors.
  • Although we do not evaluate English levels, students will need to self-evaluate their ability to determine if they have a sufficient level.
  • All materials are written in English. If students need help with advanced grammar for academic writing, I recommend that they take AWEC‘s Fundamentals of English Writing before taking this class.
  • Registration by CEIBA does not guarantee students a place in this course. Enrollment will be determined by application. Students need to provide a summary of their needs and objectives in writing on the first day of the course.
  • Assignments must be submitted before they are due. No late assignments will be accepted.

Class Materials

Textbook

  • Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students (3rd).Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.