ENG 110: COMPOSITION I: WRITING AND RHETORIC
“Critical Thinking, Reading and Writing”
Instructor: Marc Barnhill
Modality: In-Person
Sections: D08 (16992), M/W/Th 2pm-3:50pm or D09 (16449), M/W/Th 4pm-5:50pm
- Fully in-person (no online sessions)
- Frequent reflective writing
- Several formal essays and one culminating (research-based) project
- Emphasis on discussion and on critical reading and writing activities
- No books to purchase (all texts provided electronically)
- No midterm or final exam
What is “critical thinking,” and can it be learned and developed? How trustworthy are our perceptions, memories, and judgments? What are the most common errors in reasoning, and how can we detect and compensate for them? What common elements link discussions of the paranormal (astrology, psychic ability, UFO sightings), the demands of academic life (reading and writing, studying and memorization, proofreading), and our daily experiences in society (decision-making, relationships, racism)?
This critical thinking-focused writing class will explore the nature and implications of some of the many types of bias that plague human consciousness, including cognitive and perceptual biases, confirmation bias, logical fallacies, innumeracy, rationalization, motivated reasoning, delusional thinking, conspiracy theories, superstition, pseudoscience, and various kinds of explicit bigotry and implicit prejudice; we will also consider possible applications of these realities in antiracism work, gender equality, disability studies, and other social-justice efforts. Along the way, we will make connections among these cognitive and cultural topics, academic skills and strategies (including study methods, modes of learning, memorization, and note-taking), and issues specific to critical reading and critical writing (including textual interpretation, argumentation and persuasion, the use of evidence and reason, use and citation of source material, and the effective communication of ideas).
While much of our class time will be spent watching, reading, and discussing surprising concepts and materials drawn from a range of disciplines (psychology, sociology, neuroscience, history), we will also be learning how to turn those conversations into effectively crafted academic writing that presents unique perspectives, articulates and supports complex ideas, investigates and critiques arguments, and sustains focused and coherent discussion. Throughout our semester, we will review and discuss various elements of the writing process, including prewriting, essay structure, audience, topics and thesis statements, development and organization, editing and revision, quotation and paraphrase, and evaluation and annotation of sources.