HNRS 2010 / Fall 2015

HNRS 2010, INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

M / W, 1pm 2:15pm, 301 University Hall (moving to 120 Olscamp Hall)
INSTRUCTOR DATA
Dr. Paul Cesarini
419.372.7740 / email or FaceTime: pcesari@bgsu.edu / Skype: paul.cesarini
Center for Faculty Excellence, 202C University Hall
Office hours: M/T, 10am 11:30am (face-to-face, by phone, or via chat), or by appointment
PEER FACILITATOR
Christy Gillen / chrismg@bgsu.edu / Office hours by appointment, in Honors Loft.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Critical Thinking (4)
Interdisciplinary inquiry in social sciences. Analysis of arguments through assumptions, ambiguity,
data and fallacies; formulation of conclusions and alternative inferences; value assumptions and
decision making. Prerequisite: admission to the honors program or permission of honors director.
Applicable to the social sciences general education requirement.
REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS AND WEB SITE
M. Neil Brown and Stuart M. Keeley, Asking the Right Questions, 11th edition. (New Jersey:
Pearson, 2014)
Additional readings online, as well as video and audio clips, will be assigned as needed.
The course will use a Canvas Web site (or course shell) where you will be able to download
course handouts and use communication tools.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
You will need to have an active BGSU account, and must be able check your BGSU email regularly. If
you rely on an alternate email address, it is your responsibility to have your BGSU email forwarded to
that address. You must also familiarize yourself with using Canvas. For reference purposes, the
BGSU Canvas Student resource page is at: http://www.bgsu.edu/provost/canvasimplementation/student-resources.html
You will need access to a broadband-connected computer that has the most recent versions of the
following software:
Browser: FireFox or Chrome (most preferred), Safari, or Internet Explorer (least preferred)
Media Players: QuickTime Player (either Windows or Mac OS X), Windows Media Player (either
Windows or Mac OS X, or the Flip4Mac plugin), Flash browser plugin (desktop only)
PDF viewer: Adobe Reader, Preview (Mac OS X), or any PDF viewer
Word Processor: Microsoft Word, Google Drive, or OpenOffice
Presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Drive, or OpenOffice
All of the above-mentioned software is available for use in the University computer labs, with the
possible exception of FireFox and OpenOffice.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The purpose of this class is to analyze, evaluate, and improve your critical thinking skills. Successful
students will leave this class with a phenomenal gift and a lifelong ability-to construct and evaluate
arguments. Although this class will utilize formally recognized principles and guidelines as outlined in
the course textbooks and readings, the true heart of this class will come through the practical
implementation of these principles and guidelines. With practice, students should finish this course
confident in their ability to critically examine and construct arguments.

HNRS 2010 / Fall 2015

COURSE GOALS
At the end of the course, your progress toward becoming a critical thinker will be based on how well
you are able to address the following questions:
What is the issue that generated this argument?
Why does the problem or issue matter?
What is the speakers or writer's conclusion?
What are the reasons provided for the conclusion?
Is there significant ambiguity contained within the argument?
What assumptions are contained within the argument?
What evidence is used to support the reasons? How valid is the evidence?
Are there any logical fallacies within the argument?
What significant information was omitted from the reasoning?
What values are present within this argument? What value preferences do the authors have that
allows them to make their conclusion?
What is your conclusion with respect to this argument?
What is the basis for your conclusion?

INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY
This course will build upon the principles and guidelines outlined in the course textbook and additional
readings through the systematic and practical application of the skills required to critically examine
arguments. Class discussion, discussion forum participation, and completion of other assignments will
demonstrate success. The course will not follow a rigid schedule. Assignments for the next class will
be made at the end of each class. This course represents the philosophical foundation of the Honors
Program-successful completion is required to remain in it.
In class and online, I expect you to read and complete all assignments in advance; to attend and
participate; to ask and answer questions; and to construct and evaluate arguments
COURSE DELIVERY
Course delivery will be a blend of face-to-face interaction in our regular classroom and online activity,
by way of our Canvas course shell. In place of several face-to-face class meetings throughout the
semester, you will participate online with me, our peer facilitator, and other students to build a
cooperative learning community. Asynchronous communication tools, including email and online
discussion forums, will be heavily relied upon in addition to our regular class meeting times, and in
some cases in place of our regular class meeting times. The required text is for independent study;
and the course site will serve as a clearinghouse for information, where course handouts will be
available, and communication tools, discussion board, and virtual classroom will be used by you,
myself, and invited guests.
Because of the nature of this course, consistent online interaction is mandatory. You must ensure
that you complete assignments by their due dates, and respond to me and working groups within a
reasonable amount of time. You will participate in bi-weekly electronic discussion forums that
collectively account for a considerable portion of your final grade. New forums will be posted every
other Monday, and will be archived or closed a week after they are posted. It will be your
responsibility to inform me if scheduling difficulties arise.
SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments will be submitted though each individual assignment link in the Unit folder of the
assignment in question. Research papers will be automatically filtered through the Turnitin plagiarism
detection tool built into Canvas, and will then be uploaded directly into the grade book. I will grade and
comment on your papers directly in the grade book as I complete them.

HNRS 2010 / Fall 2015

UNIT AND ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS

There will be a total of three quizzes in this class, some of which will likely be web-based and
available to take outside of our regular class time. You will also be responsible for a small group
presentation that will last 30 minutes, and you will also have a research paper due toward the end of
the semester. There will be an in-class, collaborative competition. There will be a final exam, as well.
Additional required articles, audio interviews, and video clips for each unit are also listed in the
corresponding module within our course shell. Whenever possible, audio and video clips will be
directly embedded within the corresponding unit folder. Slidecasts of any face-to-face class lecture
will be accessible as needed.
SCHEDULE
All relevant dates associated with this course are available on the online course calendar, which can
be accessed by way of MyBGSU.
GRADING
The following is a list of assignments and their corresponding maximum point values:
Group Discussion Board / chat Participation
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
Quiz #3
Issue Response Group Presentation
Issue Response Paper
Fallacy Competition
IGNITE Presentation
Final Exam

55 points (12 forums @ 5 points each; drop lowest)

10 points
10 points
10 points
25 points
25 points
20 points
5 points (extra credit)
20 points

Total for the Course

175 points

Note: A 90, 80, 70, 60 percentage scale will be followed strictly for the semester grade. There will be
no scale or curve of any type. They may be more or less discussion forums depending on how the
schedule meshes with the academic calendar. There will be extra credit opportunities at various
points throughout the semester. Details on these opportunities will be discussed in class.
DISABILITIES
The Disability Services for Students Office is to help provide equal access and reasonable
accommodations to students with disabilities attending BGSU. Students wishing to discuss their
eligibility for such accommodations are encouraged to contact the office at 419/372-8495.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
As an enrolled student at Bowling Green State University, you have agreed to abide by the Student
Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. You should familiarize yourself with the Code
which was established to foster the scholarly and civic development of the university's students in a
safe and secure learning environment, and to protect the people, properties and processes that
support the university and its missions. Students who violate faculty expectations as outlined in the
syllabus may be subject to the Code of Conduct. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to
contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 419-372-2843.
The Student Handbook link can be viewed here: http://www.bgsu.edu/studenthandbook.
The Academic Honesty Policy and the Code of Student Conduct can be downloaded from:
http://www.bgsu.edu/student-handbook/code-of-conduct.html.

HNRS 2010 / Fall 2015

Policies and procedures related to student life and student organizations can be downloaded
from: http://www.bgsu.edu/student-handbook/policies-and-procedures.html

What this means is that do not under any circumstances even consider representing the text or work
of another person as your own, or submitting work as new that was previously submitted in another
class. It is not worth the risk to your GPA or your college career. You will receive a failing grade for
this course, the Deans Office from your college will be notified, and your actions will be documented
on your permanent record.
LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Technology Support Center
The Technology Support Center (TSC) provides a central point of contact for faculty, staff and
students for questions, problem reports, service requests and inquiries for University computer
systems and communications technologies at BGSU.
email: tsc@bgsu.edu / Phone: (419) 372-0999
Student Technology Assistance Center
Students looking for more in depth assistance with computer technology needed for a class project
or tutoring should contact the Student Technology Assistance Center (formerly the Academic
Resource Center) or consult their web page at http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/stac/
email: stac@lists.bgsu.edu / Phone: (419) 372-9277
Learning Commons
According to their web site, the BGSU Learning Commons provides students with academic
resources that foster independent learning. The highly trained professional, graduate, and
undergraduate staff utilizes technology and additional resources to offer individual and group
tutoring and consultations tailored to meet the needs of any student in any course at any time in
the learning process.
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/learningcommons/
email: tlc@bgsu.edu / Phone: (419) 372-2823
My BGSU Portal Self-Help
http://www.bgsu.edu/its/tsc/self-help/page10888.html
BGSU Library
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/
BGSUs Office of Distance Education
http://online.bgsu.edu
COURSE SITE ORIENTATION
The purpose of the following set of instructions is to help you navigate and use the course site
(Canvas course shell). Virtually all information pertaining to the course will be communicated via the
main announcements page in our course site. It will be up to each of you to manage your time
appropriately and actively participate in this course. This course site can be accessed through the My
BGSU portal, which provides a link to personal information (grades and bursar accounts), email
access, and other university services.
Authentication
The authentication process enables you to establish your own portal on the BGSU
Web and once enrolled in the course, you will have access to the course assignments and other
information. The following step-by-step instructions will lead you through the authentication process:

HNRS 2010 / Fall 2015

1. Get to the Bowling Green State University Authentication Page by going to the BGSU
Homepage at http://www.bgsu.edu and clicking the My BGSU button on the left navigation bar of
the page
2. Once you get to the main MyBGSU page, enter your BGSU user name and password.
3. In My BGSU click on the Courses area and click on the course link. This will take you into the
course site or shell.
Organization of Course Site
Once you are on the course site, you will see a list of navigational buttons on the left side of the
screen. Your course site will always begin with the main page, often where I will post announcements,
embedded video clips, etc. The next buttons you will use on a regular basis and it will be to your
advantage to learn how to use them in the course.

Home: As the name implies, this link will always get you back to the main page for this course
Syllabus: This link will take you to a combination of the course syllabus (both as a
downloadable PDF and as a clickable list, and a quick access course calendar with all
assignments listed.
Modules: Look here for documents to view and/or download, including course syllabus, book
information, lecture presentations, assignment related materials, general instructions, and
assignment instructionsexcept for due dates. Assignment due dates can be found on the
Course Calendar. Links to all group discussion will be accessible from here, as well.
People: This link goes to a list of everyone involved in this class, including students, teaching
assistant(s) (if available), and me.
Grades: Your grades for this class are accessible 24/7 from here.
Chat: This area will be used for virtual office hours for me, in the event you have a quick
question and are not geographically close to this side of campus.
Calendar (upper, horizontal menu): All relevant dates pertaining to assignments, exams, and
discussion boards can be found here. I recommend viewing by month, rather than the default
viewing by day, in order to see more calendar entries at once. Please note some of the
calendar entries may appear to be truncated or otherwise cut off. Click the link on any entry for
additional information.

There may be an additional button or two added or changed once the semester starts. I am always
trying to improve the overall navigation of the course site.
Group Discussion Board
You will use your Group Discussion Board to discuss topics posted by me. If you want to respond to
someone elses message that has been posted to a discussion forum click on reply, but if you want to
add a new message (thread) click Add New Thread. I will also be participating in these discussions.
For additional information about discussion board forums, posting, and evaluation criteria, please see
the Discussion Groups section in our course site. Additionally, in the group pages there will be an
open forum. This forum represents a venue to discuss anything not directly related to content in the
regular discussion forum. You can also ask questions about the class in general. I will attempt to
check the open forum regularly.
Document Preparation for Submitting Assignments
Use the assignment tool to submit / upload any papers. Do not send your assignment as email
attachments.) Be sure to submit assignments by no later than midnight of the due date. I do not
accept late assignments. However, you may always submit assignments earlier than the due date.
Downloading Documents from the Course Site
To download files from any part of the course site, right-click a file and choose save as.