Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

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

COMM 1270-01

Course: COMM 1270-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: COMM
CRN: 11419

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 required textbook for this course. Instead, students will engage with a set of readings provided by the instructor throughout the term. These readings will include peer-reviewed academic journal articles as well as current media content. Students are expected to critically analyze and critique these materials as part of course discussions, assignments, and assessments. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Recognize the role of communication in critical and creative thinking.
  2. Analyze components of a message through a critical lens to understand reasoning and arguments.  
  3. Formulate approaches to creative thinking and idea generation. 
  4. Engage in a process of inquiry that leads to recommendations for designing effective message sending and receiving processes.

Course Requirements

End of Module Assessments: (40% of grade)
U1 Career Essay (100 pts)
U2 Group Project Escape Room (100 pts)
U3 Exam (100 pts)
U4 Debate (100 pts)

Assignments: (30%)
Debate the bot printout (25 pts)
Critical Thinking Games output (25 pts)
News Article (25 pts)
Habits report (25 pts)
Interview (50 pts)
Oral Report (50 pts)
Commercial Analysis (50 pts)
Understanding Arguments (50 pts)

Discussions & Activities (In class): 30% 
Includes general instructor activity day attendance, escape room engagement, debate and escape room group prep days, debating the bot, and critical thinking games. (15 pts per day, 20 specific days tracked) 


Course Outline

Course Content will be delivered in 4 Units, each will focus on critical thinking and message analysis.

Unit 1: Thinking about Careers  This unit invites students to reflect on careers through the lens of critical thinking and message analysis. We will examine how critical thinking skills are developed and why employers often report that graduates lack key abilities such as adaptability, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Students will analyze an employer interview, complete an oral report, and reflect on professional habits that support growth, resilience, and lifelong learning. The unit also addresses how to move beyond feeling stuck, emphasizing resilience, moral reasoning, and the principle of universalizability as tools for making thoughtful and ethical career decisions.

Unit 2: Creative Thinking  This unit focuses on the role of creative thinking alongside critical thinking in problem-solving and communication. Students will apply both modes of thinking in a collaborative group project in which they design and build an escape room experience. The project requires teams to work together to ensure cohesion, logical structure, and originality, blending analytical reasoning with imaginative design. Through this process, students will explore how creativity and critical thinking function together to produce engaging, meaningful, and effective solutions.

Unit 3: Technology & AI This unit examines emerging technologies with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and its impact on society, communication, and decision-making. Students will analyze new technological advancements, read and critique articles addressing the benefits and challenges of AI, and engage in a structured debate with an AI system. Using message analysis, students will also evaluate how popular media portrays technology and influences public perceptions, developing a more critical and informed understanding of AI’s role in contemporary life.

Unit 4: Arguments  This unit focuses on effective reasoning and the principles of sound argumentation. Students will learn what constitutes a strong argument as well as how to identify weak or flawed reasoning. Through analysis and practice, students will develop skills in constructing clear, logical, and well-supported arguments. The unit culminates in a collaborative group debate project in which students apply these skills by analyzing opposing positions and presenting persuasive, reasoned arguments. 

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

Late work is accepted up to a week late with a 10% penalty for each day it is late. All other exceptions need to be approved through the Disability Resource Center.

Attendance Policy

Attendance: I expect students to come to class. The fun part of the learning is discussing and being able to apply what you have read. The good news is that I love being in class. My job fulfillment comes from being able to answer questions and help you with specific conflict scenarios you are struggling with so come join us! A portion of your grade is designated to the application assessments we will do in class. 

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.