CMST 245 - Argumentation

Credits: 5
Introduction to the basic theories and practices of argumentation. Helps students be more sensitive to, and aware of, the arguments they will encounter in their daily lives. Develop skills to better understand and assess arguments in various contexts and to build competence in producing their own arguments. Discusses different types of arguments, argumentation skills, and argumentation theories.

Enrollment Requirement: Eligible for ENGL& 101 or instructor consent.

Satisfies Requirement: Humanities/Fine Arts/English

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Describe basic principles of argumentation.
Describe different types of arguments.
Analyze arguments for effectiveness and appropriateness.
Build effective arguments using a variety of theories and practices.
Analyze the effects of arguments in everyday life.

Program Outcomes

Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
Use, synthesize or produce needed information ethically.
Form, analyze, and assess beliefs while demonstrating intellectual humility and respect towards the beliefs of others.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.