Office: 175 Science Lecture Building

Office Hours: TBA

Telephone: (404) 756-5675

Credits: Four

Prerequisites: Exit from Learning Support/Developmental Studies Reading, English, and Math

Text: Marlys Mayfield, Thinking for Yourself

Materials: Selected Readings and Videos, Speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Assigned Videos: Class Action (Hackman) Disclosure (Douglass/Moore)

Assigned Website:  www.fool.com

Course Description:

This course strengthens critical thinking and communication skills. It fosters an increased understanding of the individual’s role and responsibility in the learning process. Using interdisciplinary themes and various instructional technologies, students will both evaluate the thinking of others and consider and conveyt he logic of their own thinking.

Course Activities:

In this class we will be engaged primarily in discussing, reading, writing and critical thinking. Students will interact with the instructor and other class members in pair and group work, and give oral presentations. Various kinds of opportunities are presented for students to deepen their understanding of logical thinking and to develop strategies for clear thinking and decision making. The skills and abilities developed here provide students with essential knowledge for doing well in academic courses.

Earning the coursework grade:

Maximum Points:

Folder (Journal of written homework and minor writing assignments) 25%

Oral work and presentations (PPT & Major Paper) 25%

Midterm exam 25%

Final Exam 25%

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 59 –

Folder:

A major goal in AMIR is to develop students; written communication skills. Assignments include in-class exercises and short take-home writing assignments. We will write summaries of articles and compose short reports and arguments. I will collect such assignments, indicate the quality of the work, and make suggestions for improvement. I will not put a letter grade on them. At the end of the semester, you will put these assignments (which will be numbered) in chronological order inside a folder. This folder will then be graded on completeness and quality of work.

These assignments will only be accepted on the due dates. No late papers. If you are absent or have not completed an assignment, turn them in at the end of the semester for part credit.

Oral work and presentation.

Through small group and pairs, students will have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of key concepts and to apply those concepts to particular situations. Students’ oral participation in the holistic class configuration will also be considered in establishing a grade for oral work.

In addition to daily oral work, students will do two class presentations which consist of reading, writing a report, a film review, a Power Point presentation and participating in a panel before class. All of the work done for these presentations will be part of the Oral work and presentation grade. In addition to the written report, students are graded for being on task, demonstrating knowledge of how to work in groups, perceptiveness and insight into content, and articulateness (clear pronunciation, standard grammar use, suitable word choice, and clear organization/flow of ideas.

Midterm and final exam:

There will be a midterm and final exam that cover vocabulary, textbook material, readings, and concepts discussed i n class. Vocabulary studied will also be part of the exams. The final will cover work completed from the midpoint of the semester to the end. These tests comprise 40% of the class grade.

Students will lower their grads if the are not conscientious about prompt and regular attendance, timely completion of assignments, coming to class with required materials, a work-oriented attitude, and academic honesty.