Class Policies:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Academic Dishonesty- Cheating on exams and plagiarism of papers constitutes grounds for failure of
that assignment, and potential failure of this course. Please see me if you need help or an extension of
time on assignments.
4. Cell Phone Usage- Electronic devices such as laptops and tablets are powerful learning tools in the
classroom. Students are encouraged to use them at appropriate times. Cell phones, however, are not
permitted to be used in my classroom. If I catch you using your cell phone, I will ask you to bring it to
me. The second time I catch you with your phone, you will drop an entire letter off your final grade. If I
catch you with your phone a third time, you will receive an automatic F. .
5. Late Work- I accept late work for partial, if we discuss it together but you will never receive for full credit.
6. 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.
8. Grading- I use a standard grading scale (90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, etc.). Occasionally, students are
unsatisfied with some dimension of the course. If you have a concern at any time during the course,
please come speak with me directly. I enforce a “24/7 rule” when it comes to grade appeals. There is a
24 hour rule in effect for all papers and tests: you may not contact me regarding the grade you earned
until at least 24 hours after the assignment is returned. Additionally, you must contact me within seven
days of the assignment being returned to you. After a week has passed I will not be willing to discuss
past assignments. If you want to appeal a grade, you must make the grade appeal in writing to me. It is
my policy that I will not discuss grade appeals via email or in class. Prepare and submit a typed argument
indicating what your specific appeal is, what grade you believe you deserved, and a justification for that
grade. You must have a legitimate argument for the grade change. Turn in the appeal before or after
class, or at a scheduled appointment within one week of the grade being returned.
9. Respect- Enjoy the readings, enjoy the class, enjoy the assignments, enjoy your instructor, and enjoy
one another. It is expected that students will be considerate of the instructor and fellow classmates and
act in a professional manner. Once class begins, students should stop talking, working on other class
assignments, etc. Please be patient with me and your classmates; we are all in this together.
Assignments:
1. Citizenship- Students are allowed two 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.