Block A3 Critical Thinking and Composition

In general, course proposals for courses submitted as satisfying specific general education requirements must provide:

Clear evidence that student learning outcomes specific to the block or GE Requirement are being taught and assessed
Course content in outline that demonstrates adequate time devoted to teaching and assessing the outcomes
Evidence of specific training, currency and/or experience in the basic intellectual and pedagogic competencies in the specific block or designated area

Proposal clearly demonstrates that the course

Requires the practice and evaluation of writing in English, including, where appropriate, library assignments
Provides ample opportunity for students to be active learners in their educational experience
Does not require a non-General Education prerequisite

If the response to any of the GE governing principles above is No, the course will be returned unapproved.

Proposal clearly demonstrates that student learning outcomes are being taught and assessed sufficiently

Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between knowledge and belief, facts and values, and identify faulty reasoning through an understanding of the formal and informal fallacies of language and thought, through writing, reading, and research
Analyze and evaluate a range of evidence used to support various types of claims
Recognize, respond to and use common techniques of persuasion
Understand the fundamentals of logic and critical thinking and the relationship of logic to language
Use inductive and deductive reasoning to reach well-supported conclusions
Identify the assumptions, biases, and prejudices upon which particular conclusions rely and understand how they may erode sound arguments
Refine fundamental rhetorical strategies used to produce university-level writing, especially
- modify content and form according to the rhetorical situation, purpose, and audience
- incorporate textual evidence through quotation, summary, and paraphrase into their essays and appropriately cite their sources
- evaluate the relevance, validity, and authority of information, and ethically use and cite that information in their own writing
Develop cogent arguments for views on theoretical and practical matters
Exhibit knowledge of genre conventions ranging from structure and paragraphing to voice, tone and style
Control such surface features as syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Proposal or supplemental materials provide evidence of

Specific training, currency and/or experience in the basic intellectual and pedagogic competencies in the specific block or designated area