GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course aims at helping students cultivate skills in argumentation that they can apply to debate and discussion. Therefore, in this class, students will learn not only how to conduct themselves in debates and discussions, but also critical thinking, organizational and speaking skills.
Students will first learn the basics of argumentation, including analysis, the use of evidence, causal reasoning and reasoning from analogy, and refutation. They will then learn the technical aspects of how debates and discussions are structured before applying the argumentation skills they have acquired to actual team debates and small-group discussions.

Through the critical thinking exercises and practices in debates and discussions, students will become able to formulate arguments and express their opinions on various issues, as well as actively participate in group discussions. The skills they acquire through this course should prepare them well for the core content courses in the curriculum.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

In the first half of the course, each class is composed of a partial lecture on key concepts and in-class exercises (including small group discussions and presentations) to help students learn and apply the concepts. The second half of the course is centered on student debates and discussions. Students will be encouraged to evaluate their own performance and give each other feedback, and the instructor will provide oral and written feedback to each student.
Submission of assignments and feedback will either be in-class or via the Learning Management System. Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at: at level 1, 70% of this course will be held on campus, though at level 2, 50% will be held on campus.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Overview

The use of argument in debate and discussion
Week-by-week explanation of the course
Explanation of attendance policy, assignments and exercises, and grading policy

2[対面/face to face]：Analysis

Meaning of analysis
Propositions and argument

3[対面/face to face]：Use of Evidence

Finding and evaluating sources of evidence

4[対面/face to face]：Identifying Flaws in Arguments I

Causal links
Correlations and false correlations

5[対面/face to face]：Identifying Flaws in Arguments II

Necessary and sufficient conditions
Analogies

6[対面/face to face]：Refutation

Meaning of refutation
Ways of refuting an argument

7[対面/face to face]：Debate: An Overview

Techniques and structure of debate
Choice of topics for debates in class

8[対面/face to face]：Moving Towards Debate

Roundtable discussions to prepare for debates

9[対面/face to face]：Team Debate 1

Team debate on a topic previously agreed upon
Peer evaluation

10[対面/face to face]：Team Debate 2

Team debate on a topic previously agreed upon
Peer evaluation

11[対面/face to face]：Team Debate 3
Moving Towards Group Discussion

Team debate on a topic previously agreed upon
Preparation for group discussion

12[対面/face to face]：Group Discussion 1

Discussion on topics previously agreed upon
Peer evaluation of discussion

13[対面/face to face]：Group Discussion 2

Discussion on topics previously agreed upon
Peer evaluation of discussion

14[対面/face to face]：Group Discussion 3 and Wrap-up

Discussion on topics previously agreed upon
Peer evaluation of discussion
Debate and discussion revisited: the significance of argument,reasoning and critical thinking

Students are expected to review class materials, complete assignments, and find relevant material to build arguments for debate and discussion. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Class materials will be provided by the instructor and distributed in class or uploaded on H'etudes.

Bowell, T., & Kemp G. (2015). Critical thinking: A concise guide (4th edition). New York, NY: Routledge.
Cottrell, Stella. (2011). Critical thinking skills: Developing effective analysis and arguments. 2nd Ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Huber, Robert and Snider, Alfred C. (2006). Influencing through argument. Updated Edition. New York: International Debate Education Association. (Downloadable as pdf file.)
Snider, Alfred & Schnurer, Maxwell. (2006). Many sides: Debate across the curriculum. Revised edition. New York: International Debate Association. (Downloadable as pdf file.)

Round table discussion 15%; team debate performance 30%; discussion participation and performance 45%; overall participation in class 10%. Scores for performance and participation will depend at least as much on preparation and organization as on verbal skills.

None.

The teacher may request that you use a computer, tablet or smartphone in order to prepare or fact-check during class. (Computers, tablets and smartphones may not be used other than as authorized.)

None.