Course Description
Analytical Thinking is a course in Logic that proceeds in two steps. First, it teaches basic patterns for detecting, constructing and analyzing arguments. This learning is facilitated by working a number of examples. Second, the discussion proceeds to variations upon this basic pattern which is found in specific areas of argumentation: art, business, law, politics, philosophy, science, etc. The overall goal is to increase the skill of argumentative discourse and analytical thinking.

Faculty Educational Philosophy
The instructor will engage learners in disputatious learning to encourage the lively exploration of ideas, issues, and contradictions.
Lectures, discussions, analysis of web sites, video films, and audio clips will complement reading and writing assignments.

Learning Objectives:
• Exercise analytical thinking in class discussions, written, and oral assignments
• Examine theoretical foundation of analytical thinking
• Separate rational and emotional means of argumentation
• Evaluate definitions
• Find, present and assess evidence
• Identify structure of the syllogism
• Analyze patterns of inductive thinking
• Analyze patterns of deductive thinking
• Recognize fallacies

Textbook
Sally De Witt Spurgin. The Power to Persuade: A Rhetoric and Reader for Argumentative Writing, 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1994, p. 389. ISBN 0-13-221185-8

Academic Honest
Academic Honesty is required of all members of a learning community. Hence, Park will not tolerate cheating or plagiarism on tests, examinations, papers or other course assignments. Students who engage in such dishonesty may be given failing grades or expelled from Park.”

Plagiarism
Plagiarism—the appropriation or imitation of the language or ideas of another person and presenting them as one's original work—sometimes occurs through carelessness or ignorance. Students who are uncertain about proper documentation of sources should consult their instructors.”

Attendance Policy
Instructors are required to keep attendance records and report absences. The instructor may excuse absences for cogent reasons, but missed work must be made up within the term of enrollment. Work missed through unexcused absences must also be made up within the term of enrollment, but unexcused absences may carry further penalties. In the event of two consecutive weeks of unexcused absences in a term of enrollment, the student will be administratively withdrawn, resulting in a grade of “F”. An Incomplete will not be issued to a student who has unexcused or excessive absences recorded for a course. Students receiving Military Tuition Assistance (TA) or Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits must not exceed three unexcused absences in the term of enrollment. Excessive absences will be reported to the appropriate agency and may result in a monetary penalty to the student. Reports of F grade (attendance or academic) resulting from excessive absence for students receiving financial assistance from agencies not mentioned above will be reported to the appropriate agency.
• A valid reason should be substantiated with a written statement on letterhead signed by a person in authority or a written and signed statement from the student. Make up work will be accepted towards the final grade at 100% of the total grade. It should include 5 typed pages, covering class discussion and home reading material.
• If a reason for late submission of work is not valid and substantiated with a written statement, make up work will not be accepted for the missed class, which will negatively affect the final grade.

Note: Assignments not submitted on the due date without a valid reason will be given a “zero” score.

Course Assessment
• Analytical home and class reading assignments:
(Particular home reading assignments are given in class and the general schedule can be found on the class web site http://www.ographics.com/ph307/schedule.html . 
Home reading requires thoughtful analysis of philosophical articles and abstracts. Reading and note taking are  beneficial for stimulating class discussions and deeper understanding of the course material).
• Participation in class discussions and team assignments
• Three exams
• Concept maps, covering home reading material
• Term paper: 6 pages, can be published online @ http://www.pjo311.blogspot.com and class presentation: (suggested topics, information sources, grading criteria and guidelines for writing term papers see the following guidelines )

Course Arrangements
Text analysis, lecture, class presentations, group discussions, work in pairs, writing assignments, puzzle solutions, analysis of web sites, business games, and audio-video clips.

Course Requirements
• Participation: Involvement during class discussions is a critical component of a successful learning process.
• Reading assignments will be provided in advance of each class. To be successful in class discussions and understand the course material, it is critical to complete the home reading assignments.
• The first examination (27.03 )
• A Mid-term examination (17.04 )
•The final open-book test (01.05)
• Term paper (see guidelines at http://www.ographics.com/termpaper.html)
• An optional extra-credit paper oral presentation of 4-6 pages of a double-spaced. (see guidelines at http://www.ographics.com/termpaper.html)

Class Meetings and Examination Schedule
Information about dates, time of all class sessions, topics, study assignments, and examination schedules are given in the handouts and also accessible on the Instructor’s web site http://www.ographics.com/ph307/schedule.html

Class Policies
• Academic Integrity and Student Conduct: The highest standards of personal conduct,academic integrity and honesty are anticipated and will be mandated for all testing and class sessions. The Park University catalog provides detailed information on this subject.
• Attendance: You must be on time and attend each and every class and be present for the full class period.
•Absence and Makeup work:
Excused absence: An absence, substantiated with a written reason for the absence on letterhead signed by a person in authority. Make up work will be accepted towards the final grade.
Absence: An absence with a written and signed statement from the student. Make up work will be accepted at 90% of the total grade.
Unexcused absence: An absence without a written statement. Make up work will not be accepted for the missed class, which will negatively affect the final grade. Park University administration must be informed where absences exceed university policy.

Grading Policy
The final grade will be calculated as a weighted mean of in-class grades, three exams and a research paper according to the following:
1.2 x exam grade
1.3 x final exam grade
1.3 x research paper grade
1 x class and home assignments grade

Note: the final exam or home tests with a grade “D” will limit your final grade to " C".