Norfolk State University

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

INT 322 Approaches to Critical Analysis
Spring, 2014
3 Credit Hour Course Online
Instructor: Denise Snowden Langley
Office Location: BMH C104
Office Hours: MWF
9:30 A.M. 1:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M.
TTH
8:00 11:00 - (By appointment only)
11:00 A.M. 12:00 Noon
3:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M. (By appointment only)
Office Phone: (757) 823-9490
Office Fax: (757) 823-8602
Email: dalangley@nsu.edu
Pre-requisite: INT 308 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (strongly
recommended)
Primary Methods of Instruction
This class is an asynchronous online class. All class discussions, presentations, handouts,
assignments and procedures for participating in this class are online. The information will
employ critical thinking strategies. Therefore, the instructor will present and attempt to
clearly state information for learners to critically reflect upon and review, at their own
pace.
A variety of writing activities will be employed to promote critical thinking.
Consequently, it is imperative that students have working knowledge of the computer
and blackboard applications, in order to be successful in this class.
Please check course documents for Proctor Approval Application and frequently
asked questions.
Course Description
Thinking is any mental activity that helps formulate or solve a problem, make a decision,
or fulfill a desire to understand. It is a searching for answers, a reaching for meaning
(Ruggiero, 2009). Therefore, it is the examination of how characteristic logical
constructs are employed in reading, writing, and speech acts, modeling and application of
modes of analysis that develop critical thinking skills and flexible orientation towards
reading and writing.

What is Interdisciplinary Studies? An area of study that provides students with a broad
background in many disciplines including social sciences, literature, biology, chemistry,
the arts, mathematics, and many other subjects. The field of critical thinking is of
necessity to interdisciplinarity because the human mind is far too complex to understand
itself in any one dimensional way.
Departmental Outcomes
Upon graduation from the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, students will have
accomplished the following:
1. They will be able to formulate questions and ascertain relationships that are
conventionally unrelated in order to create and demonstrate new knowledge.
2. Students will be able to describe, analyze, synthesize, interpret, and evaluate
phenomena in an interdisciplinary form to critically examine the validity of
assumptions, hypotheses, and theses.
3. The INT student will be able to explore and evaluate the various relationships
among social, economic, cultural, and political issues in order to become a
productive citizen, in their local and global community.
4. The INT student will be able to develop and engage in the thinking processes to
promote self-reflection in a diverse world.
Course Rationale
Critical thinking is the cornerstone of higher education as well as the hallmark of
an educated person. Therefore, it is rational to say that the thinking process is
such an integral part of who we are as people. The prospect of expanding
students thinking implies that expanding who they are as human is basis enough
for offering the course.
Introducing students to critical thinking is needed in higher education because it
fosters sophisticated intellectual and language abilities.

This course will allow students to apply their evolving thinking abilities to a
variety of life experiences.

Course Goals/ Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to think critically and acquire the concept of reading as a
thinking activity.

Students will understand the reciprocal relationship between thought and

language, between the process of thinking and the process of writing.

Students will explore and discover ideas, both individually and in dialogue, with
others.

Students will be able to exhibit their thoughts and critical thinking patterns in the
form of essays.

Students will be able to understand the organizational structures and thinking

patterns that writers use to create and express meaning, such as classification,
definition, and the casual process analysis of argumentation.

Students will be able to solve problems and make the best choices in their
academic, professional, and personal lives.

Students will participate in open class discussions (discussion boards) as to

develop interest in certain issues, allowing them to develop the ability to think.

Students will be able to solve problems, analyze issues, recognize different

perspectives, recognize inferences and judgments, and evaluate and construct
arguments in written and oral form.

Course Materials/Require Textbook

Ruggiero, V. R. (2012). The art of thinking: A guide to critical and creative
thought, (10th Ed.) Pearson and Longman, New York.
Supplementary Reading/Sources
Please refer to website: http://www.criticalthinking.org
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 2009. (6th, ed.).
Washington, DC
Barnet, S., & Bedau, H. (2007). Critical thinking, reading, and writing: A brief guide to
argument. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's Press.

Browne, M. N., & Keeley, S. M. (1998). Asking the right questions: A guide to critical
thinking. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
McWhorter, K. T. (Ed.) (2008). Study and critical thinking skills in college (6th ed.). New
York: Pearson.

Related University-Wide and Course Specific Requirements

Students will practice four of the Commonwealth of Virginia-mandated competencies by
participating in the following:
Critical Thinking requires that students think actively, analyze issues, discuss ideas in an
organized way, and support diverse perspectives with reasons and evidence.
Writing skills: students will be able to exhibit their thoughts in the form of essays,
following the model of the EWC.
Technological literacy will be assessed when students submit assignments using the
computer and various word-processing software.
Oral Communication will be demonstrated during class participation and in group
discussions and/or discussion boards, blogs, or journals.
Policy on Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be truthful and to abide by a standard code of morals, ethics, and
integrity--this is to be displayed in class conduct and evident in course assignments as
well as materials and presentations submitted by students.
Plagiarism is defined as using other peoples work as your own without crediting them,
including, but not limited to: copying others notes, exams, essays, and information,
quoting and paraphrasing others ideas without giving them credit and proper
documentation; using information from the internet without properly citing sources,
website (URL), author, date, etc. Plagiarism is a form of cheating and will result in an
assignment grade of F and possibly an overall course grade of F. Students should
follow the academic integrity policy of the University (see University catalog and Student
Handbook) and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Student Handbook.
Attendance
Students are expected to engage in 15 weeks of learning. They are expected to
participate in class online discussions, complete all assignments which may include
reading course textbooks and any additional resources that may be assigned. Failure to
submit all assignment, homework, tests, and to adhere to assigned deadlines will result in

failure of course. All students are expected to check frequently for announcements
and any posted assignments. This also means check all course links!
Respect
You will be exposed to a variety of viewpoints, values, and opinions in college that will
differ from your own. All students in this class should feel comfortable enough to
participate actively and express their viewpoints and concerns. You are an important part
of creating an atmosphere that makes that possible. So, all students are to be respectful in
all forums posted in blackboard.
Quizzes
Quizzes may be given at any time during the course of the semester, based on
assignments, handouts, assigned University activities, discussion boards or journal
entries.
Submission of Assignments
Assignments are due as scheduled. If you envision a problem, discuss with the
instructor well in advance of due date. You will be allowed to make up assignments,
only if an official university excuse is provided for dates in question, or if you have prior
permission from the instructor.
Format for submitting assignments:
Students are to type all assignments, using font sizes not smaller than 12 pitch and not
larger than 14. All essays and other assignments will be typewritten on standard 8 by
11 inch white paper. Leave a margin of 1 inch around the paper; all assignments are to be
doubled-spaced. Length of assignments may vary, depending on the assignment; if
documentation or citations are required, please use the 6th Edition of the American
Psychological Association Manual (APA). Further, students are required to place their
names, course information, the date assignment is due, assignment number, and the
instructors name on all assignments. This information should appear in the top righthand corner of your paper. If this information is omitted, it will result in an automatic
deduction of points.
Grading
Student performance and progress will be evaluated on the basis of homework, class
participation, quizzes and test, debate/group performance (online discussions), papers,
and final examination. Extra credit will be considered, if a student is borderline-failing.
Grading Scale:
A = 94 100

A- = 90 93

B+ = 86 89

B = 82 85

B- = 78 81
D+ = 62 65

C+ = 74 77
D = 58 61

C = 70 73*
D- = 54 57

C- = 66 69
F = 0 53

THIS COURSE REQUIRES A MINIMUM GRADE OF C IN ORDER TO PASS,

NOT A C-.
Discussion Boards
Journal Entries
Papers/Assignments and Weekly Activities
Final Assignment or Project
Total

10%
10%
50%
30%
100%

The instructor reserves the right to revise the grading criteria as appropriate and will
make reasonable attempts to inform students.
NSU E-MAIL Policy
Students should check their official MYNSU website and NSU Email addresses each day
for vital information from the University, instructors, and/or classmates.
Blackboard Instructions
Students should go to the NSU homepage (www.nsu.edu) to log on to Blackboard. Click
on the Blackboard indicator. Log-in instructions should appear on the screen that comes
up. Contact me or the Office of Information Technology (OIT) immediately, if you have
problems logging on.
Policy on Disabilities
In accordance with section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the American with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, any student with a disability or who thinks he/she may
have a disability to please make contact with the Supporting Students through Disability
Services (SSDS) office.
Location:
Contact Person:
Telephone:
Email:

Office of Student Affairs

Janet L. Timberlake, Administrative Assistant
757 823-8325
jltimberlake@nsu.edu

University Assessment Statement

As part of NSUs commitment to provide the environment and resources needed for
success, students may be required to participate in a number of university-wide
assessment activities. The activities may include tests, surveys, focus groups and
interviews, or portfolio reviews. The primary purpose of the assessment activities is to
determine the extent to which the Universitys programs and services maintain a high
level of quality and ensure that the needs of students are met. Students will not be
identified in the analysis of results. Unless indicated otherwise by the instructor, results
from University assessment activities will not be computed in students grades.
Course Disclaimer
It is the students responsibility to read the syllabus. It is a contract between the
facilitator or instructor as well as students regarding responsibilities and expectations.
However, the instructor reserves the right to alter and/or change parts of the course
at any time during the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to note any
changes and/or amendments and make appropriate adjustments.