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Argumentation


Course Description

Engages the practices by which people give reason to justify their acts, beliefs, attitudes, and values in order to influence the thought and action of others. Employs both traditional and contemporary theories of argumentation.


Athena Title

Argumentation


Prerequisite

SPCM 3300 or COMM 3300 or permission of department


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

This course aims to improve students' argumentation skills. The first half of the course is devoted to making students conversant with argumentation concepts and techniques as they operate in public discourse. The second half of the course aims to improve both written and oral argumentation skills. Students will write papers applying prior theoretical and academic research. Students will also acquire competence in the oral practice of argumentation by developing debate cases and arguing these cases against classmates.


Topical Outline

Week 1 Defining argument Week 2: Rationale for the study of argument Week 3: Narrative Argument Week 4: Audience Analysis Week 5: Fields of Argument Week 6: Language in Argument Week 7: Argument Types & Writing arguments Week 8: Ground of Argument Week 9: Argument in Law Week 10:Argument in Politics Week 11:Evidence Week 12:Basic Debate Week 13:Advanced Debate Week 14:Debates Week 15:Debates Week 16:Debates


Syllabus