Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Critical Thinking & Message Analysis (Face-to-Face)

COMM 1270-02

Course: COMM 1270-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: COMM
CRN: 32005

Course Description

The course teaches students how to understand the content and structure of messages in public, social, and private contexts. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] General Education Category: Humanities

Required Texts

There is no textbook required to be purchased for this course. Instead, we will use a variety of materials I have acquired throughout my time as a communications student and professional. You’re welcome.

Learning Outcomes

The primary objectives of this course are to impart a functional ability to reason well and to improve your analytical skills and instincts. In addition to familiarizing you with elementary methods of building strong arguments, the course is further designed to aid you in understanding the essential principles involved in the practice of reasoned decision making and analyzing messages you see and hear everyday.

Students’ performance in attaining the course objectives will be assessed through participation in class discussion, writing assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Course Requirements

Students’ performance in attaining the course objectives will be assessed through participation in class discussion, writing assignments, quizzes, and exams. This is an "in-person" course and attendance will be taken and have an impact on students' grades.

Course Outline

Topics we will cover:
Introductions- Q&A, Show and Tell, Speed Dating

Listening Critically
 *Technology in the classroom
What is critical thinking?
*Taking the other to lunch
Arguing
Conflict
Fallacies
*College Athletics and NIL (arguing both sides) 
Bias
Analyzing sources 
Deciphering messages and recognizing validity
Ethical thinking
 *Critical thinking in the workplace 
Scientific Method
Inductive & Deductive reasoning
Asking effective questions
Debate
Politics
Assignments:
1. Citizenship- Students are allowed three unexcused absences before their grade will be affected. Each absence thereafter will result in a 5% loss off your final grade. Students will earn points by arriving to class on time, participating in relevant discussion, and making appropriate comments. Each student will also be required to share a video or article with the class that we can discuss and debate.
2.  Pop Quizzes-C’mon you know you love them!
3. Topic Papers- To help acquaint you with recent developments in critical thinking, you will complete various 1-2 page topic papers worth 20 points each. We will discuss each paper more fully in class before they are due.
4. Presentations- A few times this semester you will be required to work in a group to prepare a short presentation about a critical thinking example in society. This is not a presentations class, so I do not expect you to come dressed in your business best nor am I expecting professional-level presentations. That being said, they also shouldn’t bore us to death or suck. Requirements will be discussed further during class. 
5.  Individual Critical Thinking Discussion Leader- You will be required to lead a class discussion on a current event issue (using an article, news story, essay etc.).  You will need to take a neutral stance on the issue and facilitate a discussion engaging both sides of the topic.  You should be sure to probe for discussion using thought-provoking questions and make sure all opinions and ideas are heard and respected.  You’ll be graded on how well-informed, researched and prepared you are and on how well you can facilitate a critical thinking discussion about the issue.  This will be worth 20 points.
6. Final- The final for this class will be a debate. Each of you will be placed in a team and assigned a topic to debate about with another team. You will earn points for the quality of arguments presented as well as winning the debate. You will also be graded by your fellow team members. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 Late Work- Happy to accept late work (within a reasonable time frame) for PARTIAL CREDIT if you approach me and make an arrangement for a late assignment.  You will not receive full credit or points, but something is better than nothing! Come see me and let's find a way to get your assignment submitted within a reasonable time frame.
 Out of Class Contact- My office hours are determined by appointment only. The best way to get in contact with me outside of class is with a simple text message. Feel free to text, call, Facebook message, or email me at any time. I will respond at my earliest convenience, but am most likely to give you a quick response if you text me.

Attendance Policy

 Attendance- This is a face-to-face class for a reason: It is essential that all students attend class. Attendance will be taken at every class. Absences due to university activities (e.g., debate, sports, etc.) must be discussed with me no later than one week before the relevant class period(s). Written documentation for a university-sanctioned absence must be provided. Arrangements concerning absences are entirely at my discretion. You get 3 freebies (sick, out of town etc.) but I still need to hear from you so that I can plan course activities accordingly, after the third absence (unless school excused) your grade will be impacted with each absence. Points will be deducted at the end of the course after absences have been tallied and points will be taken from your final grade.
 Participation- Participation and attendance also includes, but is not limited to: Attending class regularly and on time, participating in class discussion on concepts in the readings for that day, being focused and practicing good listening skills, contributing meaningfully to group discussion and exercises, relating class material to your own experience and the outside world during class discussions. Participation is also part of your final grade for the class.  Make your voice heard so I don't need to adjust your grade at the end of the semester for lack of participation. 

Course Fees

No additional course fees required

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.