COM 3513 - Argumentation - Syllabus 22 Spring.docx

 

University of Florida

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication

 

Spring 2022

SPC3513 - Argumentation

Class #: 19993   Sec: AJ20  Online

 

Instructor:         AJ Jung, PhD   ajung@ufl.edu

Website:           http://lss.at.ufl.edu (Canvas)

Contact:            Inbox on Canvas

Office Hours:    On Zoom M 9-10, T 10-11, W 3-4, or by appointment. Link is on Canvas Home.

 

Note : This is a tentative syllabus—assignments and schedule may be altered as necessary.

   This syllabus and any changes will be posted on Canvas

 

Trigger Warning: The issues and materials that we will address in this course may contain language, images, issues, and perspectives that may be deemed offensive or difficult for some audiences. It is important in Argumentation to wrestle with the difficult issues, but we need to ensure our mental health as well. If you find yourself having trouble with any of the topics or materials covered, or with a peer’s interactions, please contact me and we discuss this in a Zoom meeting.

 

Required Text:

Rieke, R. D., Sillars, M. O. and Peterson, T. R. (2012). Argumentation & Critical Decision Making 8^th Edition. Pearson.

Other materials will be distributed or assigned on Canvas.

 

Course Description: Implementation of principles and methods advocating factual claims and policy proposals. Also discusses propositional analysis, evidence as demonstration, effecting reasoning processes to become experimental for listeners and ethics in controversy. Prereq: SPC 2608 or instructor permission.

The study of argumentation and debate theory is focused primarily on critical thinking, research skills and orally expressing arguments with rhetorical and presentational power. This class will teach you to formulate those thoughts and construct arguments in favor or against a position.

 

Course Goals: This course will provide you with both a theoretical understanding of and practical experience with structured argumentation. At the completion of this class, students will be able to:

Objective	Assignment(s) used to assess	Modules of focus
1. Explain how ideas are both informed by and expressed through communication.	Quizzes  Toulmin Model	1, 2, 3, 5, 6
2. Demonstrate an ability to think critically in both academic and real-world situations.	Quizzes Current Event posts Debate assignments	1, 2, 3, 5, 6
3. Utilize ethical principles as a communicator.	Responses to peers Current Event posts Debate	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
4. Create complete arguments through strong reasoning, researched evidence and delivery skills.	Debate Issue Analysis Debate Research Debate Outline Debate	4, 5, 6
5. Analyze the arguments of others.	Current Event Responses Toulmin Model Debate	3, 5, 6
6. Adapt materials and delivery to specific audiences.	Current Event posts Debate Research Brief Debate	1, 3, 4, 5, 6

 

Course Format:

All course materials and assignments are found and completed on Canvas. Each of the 6 Modules has a date range in which it is accessible, and it is your responsibility to ensure you complete all components of each Module before the deadline. As an asynchronous course there are no scheduled meeting times, though you will meet with Dr. Jung in a Zoom meeting once per Module.

 

Assignments:

All assignments must be submitted before midnight on dates indicated in the syllabus or on Canvas. Late submissions will result in a reduction of points for that assignment.  

 

Assignments:

Description	Points
Zoom meetings with Dr. Jung – 6 15-minute check-in meetings with a max of 10 pts each. You must meet with Dr. Jung during every Module before moving to the next one	60
Quizzes: 5 quizzes with a max of 25 pts each            5-10 questions on Current Events and concepts in the text. Can use notes, book, handouts, internet resources, etc.	125
Current Event Discussion Posts: 5 posts with a max of 50 pts each     Summary & Analysis of 2 current events using concepts from assigned readings and lectures. Responses to peer’s submissions.	250
Toulmin Model: Diagrams of issues using the Toulmin Model. 3 diagrams at 25 pts each Responses to peer’s submissions.	75
Debate Issue Analysis: Written research in preparation for debates       Responses to peer’s submissions.	80
Debate Research Brief: Written summary of the issues with supporting research       Responses to peer’s submissions.	80
Debate Case Outline: Written outline using template provided, incorporating research. Responses to peer’s submissions.	80
Debate: Recorded video debate-style interactions with one peer on a chosen topic  3 speeches at 75 pts each. Responses to peer’s submissions. Responses to peer’s submissions.	250
Total points possible	1000

                         B+ = 87-89 %       C+ = 77-79 %       D+ = 67-69 %                     

A = 93-100%      B = 83-86             C = 73-76             D = 60-66                        

A- = 90-92         B- = 80-82            C- = 70-72            F = under 60                        

 

A = Excellence and consistency. Mastery of subject matter and application.

B = Solid mastery of subject matter and application but some lack of excellence or consistency.

C = Adequate understanding of subject matter and application. Minimum requirements met.

D = Inadequate understanding or application of subject matter or application. Lack of consistency.

F = Failure to demonstrate comprehension or application of subject matter.

 

Zoom Practices and Policies

All course materials & assignments will be online and asynchronous, except for one scheduled meeting with Dr. Jung during each Module

You will be submitting recorded videos of yourself presenting structured. To be successful in these assignments, please consider the following:

Physical space: this is a good time to learn about setting up a professional environment when communicating online. While you do not need a formal office, your space should be free from distractions. Avoid distracting Zoom backgrounds. On speech days, think about how you can set up your camera to be at eye level. Your space should be free from pet, peer, and/or child interruptions.

Dress Appropriately: Be sure to dress appropriately for recordings. In other words, treat these videos as if they were live classes on campus.

If you have any concerns about Zoom speak with your instructor during drop/add.

 

Accommodations: 

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodations. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester in order to allow us to provide the most effective support.

 

Academic Integrity:

Use of someone else’s ideas, words, or organization without giving them due credit is defined as plagiarism. To avoid any appearance of ethical misconduct, use follow APA style for documentation and give due credit in any written or presented work you submit. When in doubt, cite your source or ask me for clarification.

All submitted work during the course, written or oral, will be the student's personal, original work, with credit given to sources used. If a student violates this understanding, evaluations of work must be affected accordingly and if necessary, adjudication will be processed by procedures approved by the University of Florida Honor Court. Please note the full UF Honor Code and conduct policies here: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/1617/advising/info/student-honor-code.aspx.

Getting help from a peer can be beneficial for learning but submitted assignments must be the student’s own work. Collaboration is only allowed on the debate team assignments.

 

Communication Studies Minor:

The Dial Center offers a minor in Communication Studies (CMS). Our CMS minor is consistently one of the largest minors within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Employers increasingly want to see oral communication skills, and students find the minor pairs well with any major or even fulfills their requirement for an outside concentration. The total minor is just 18 credit hours. This course counts as one of the core courses for the minor. You can find more information at https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/colleges-schools/UGLAS/CMS_UMN/.

 

Tentative Schedule (may change as needed) A minimum of 40 contact hours will fulfill the requirements of this 3-hour course.

Module	Dates	Reading & Lectures Required	Assignments Due
1	Jan 5-23	Chapters 1-2	Current Event Discussion Post #1 & Response
	(2.5 weeks)	Lecture – Understanding Argumentation	Quiz #1
			Zoom Check-in #1
			Debate topics selected
2	Jan 21-Feb 13	Chapters 3-4	Current Event Discussion Post #2 & Response
	(3 weeks)	Lecture – Examining Argumentation	Quiz #2
			Zoom Check-in #2
			Toulmin Model
			Debate Teams assigned
3	Feb 11-Mar 6	Chapters 5-6	Current Event Discussion Post #3 & Response
	(3 weeks)	Lecture – Constructing Argumentation	Quiz #3
			Zoom Check-in #3
			Debate Issue Analysis
4	March 4-Ap 3	Chapters 7-9	Current Event Discussion Post #4 & Response
	(3 wks +break)	Lecture – Supporting Argumentation	Quiz #4
			Zoom Check-in #4
			Debate Research Brief
5	Ap 1-22	Chapters 10-11	Current Event Discussion Post #5 & Response
	(3 weeks)	Lecture – Responding to Argumentation	Quiz #5
			Zoom Check-in #5
			Debate Case Outline
6	April 23-29	Doing Argumentation	Debates
	(1 week)		Zoom Check-in #6