12/3/2024 10:22:48 AM	COMM 3 Course Outline as of Spring 2021	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  COMM 3	Title:  INTRO TO ARGUMENTATION
Full Title:  Introduction to Argumentation
Last Reviewed:10/8/2018

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		4 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  SPCH 3A

Catalog Description:

The study of argumentation, including methods of analysis, research, detecting fallacies of reasoning, use and tests of evidence, refutation and debate as a practical application of these principles.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

The study of argumentation, including methods of analysis, research, detecting fallacies of reasoning, use and tests of evidence, refutation and debate as a practical application of these principles.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	B	Communication and Analytical Thinking
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	A3	Critical Thinking		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: COMM 120	Argumentation or Argumentation and Debate	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): COMM9 OR COMM3

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Analyze the core elements of a proposition and develop relevant arguments for and

    against the proposition.

2.  Engage in formal debates utilizing sound reasoning, clear organization and effective

    delivery.

3.  Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments raised for either side

    in a debate.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.   Identify the basic logical precepts and traditions of argumentation in the Western rhetorical

      tradition.

2.   Recognize, identify and construct the three traditional types of propositions of fact, value and

      policy.

3.   List and explain the traditional prima facie elements for propositions of fact, value and

      policy.

4.   List and explain the strategies for supporting and opposing debate resolutions.

5.   List and explain the techniques of refutation.

6.   Identify and utilize the principles of effective and efficient research in preparing arguments

      to support or oppose a debate resolution.

7.   Identify different types of evidence that may be used to support arguments.

8.   Compare and contrast inductive and deductive reasoning.

9.   Compare and contrast different patterns of reasoning including example, analogy, causal and

      sign reasoning.

10.  Recognize and identify logical fallacies.

11.  Demonstrate the use of outlining to construct cases that support or oppose a debate

      resolution.

12.  Participate in in-class oral debates emphasizing the employing the argumentation principles.

13.  Identify competing paradigms for evaluating a debate.

14.  Critique a debate, either oral or written, and provide a ballot stating reasons for a decision in

      accordance with accepted evaluation.

Topics and Scope

I.   Introduction to the Course

    A. The relationship between argument and critical thinking

    B. The role of critical thinking in life, politics, professions and

         education

    C. Argumentation and epistemology

    D. The roles and responsibilities of arguers

II.  The Nature of Argumentation: From Arguing to Debating

    A. The meaning of argumentation

    B. The basic unit of rhetorical argument: the enthymeme

    C. The relationship of debate to argumentation

    D. The world of debate

III. The Reasonable Person Model: Addressing Our Rational Selves

    A. Defining the "reasonable person"

    B. The parties to a debate

    C. The role of debate in problem solving

    D. The ethics of debate

IV.  The Resolution: The Focus of a Debate

    A. The burden of proof

    B. Presumption

    C. The standard of proof

    D. A burden of proof

    E. The burden of refutation/rejoinder

V.   The Requirements for a Properly Constructed Debate Resolution

    A. One central idea

    B. Controversy

    C. Neutral terminology

    D. The burden of proof properly placed

VI.  The Importance of Definitions

    A. Types of definitions

    B. Standards for evaluating competing definitions

VII. Traditional Prima Facie Requirements for Resolutions

    A. Resolutions of fact

    B. Resolutions of value

    C. Resolutions of policy

VIII. Affirmative Strategies in Debate

    A. Needs analysis

    B. Comparative advantage

    C. Alternative justification

    D. Goals/criteria

IX.  Negative Strategies in Debate

    A. Topicality

    B. Defense of the status quo

    C. Minor repair

    D. Counter policies

    E. Reliance on presumption

    F. Disadvantages

X.   Critical Thinking

    A. The Toulmin model

    B. Fallacies of reasoning

    C. Syllogisms

    D. Inductive reasoning

    E. Deductive reasoning

    F. Determining valid and invalid arguments

XI.  The Role of Research in Support of Claims

    A. The need for evidence

    B. The evaluation of evidence

    C. The application of evidence

    D. Conducting basic research

XII. Evaluating The Debate

    A. The role of the critic

    B. Judging paradigms

    C. Providing constructive feedback

Assignments:

1. Regular reading assignments from course texts and supplementary materials

    (20-25 pages/week)

2. Homework assignments covering material from the textbook and/or class discussions and

    lectures

3. Exams (2 - 20)

4. Writing assignment (minimum 500-2000 words) options typically include:

    a. writing and rewriting resolutions to be used for debates

    b. writing opening cases  for class debates

    c. writing short evaluations  of class debates

    d. writing a short essay  evaluating a debate viewed outside of class

5. In-class work consists of:

    a. skills demonstration: Minimum of two oral debates that demonstrate proficiency in

         constructing supportive arguments, refuting opposing arguments, asking and

         answering questions, utilizing evidence, avoiding and detecting fallacies, organizing

         ideas, managing time, and understanding and correctly applying appropriate debate

         theory.

    b. group exercises & mock debates.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Written homework, Term papers, Series of short essays, 1,000-2,000 words combined
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 10%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 30 - 60%
Performance exams, Oral presentations/debates
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 40%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion, Essays
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Class attendance and participation in discussions and group exercises

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Argumentation and Debate: A Public-Speaking Approach. Remland, Martin and Kay, Neal and Brown, Tim. Kendall Hunt. 2014 (classic)

 

Argumentation and Debate. 13th ed. Freeley, Austin and Steinberg, David. Cengage Learning. 2014 (classic)

 

Critical Thinking and Communication: The Use of Reason in Argument. 7th ed. Inch, Edward and Tudor, Kristen. Pearson. 2014 (classic)

 

Critical Thinking Through Debate. 2nd ed. Corcoran, Joseph and Nelson, Mark. Kendall/Hunt. 2013 (classic)

Print PDF