Comm 322: Argumentation and Advocacy Spring 2008
COMM 322: Argumentation and Advocacy
Spring 2010
Theodore Albiniak
Class meets: T/TH – 9:30 – 10:50, ASC 331
Office hours – 11:00 – 11:59 am T/TH and by appointment - ASC 227
(best way to reach me)
213.740.7413
class description
This class will be an intensive investigation of the theories and practices of argumentation. Students will be exposed to a wide range of argumentation theory and vocabulary and asked to apply these approaches to public argument and advocacy. The class will explore a variety of contemporary topics paying particular attention to issues of health care reform, economic recovery, and foreign policy in the Middle East.
course goals
- To introduce and analyze theories of argumentation and the use of argumentation terminology
- To help enhance critical thinking skills by developing and critiquing public arguments
- To cultivate multiple experiences of argument
policies
Academic integrity – The Annenberg School for Communication is committed to upholding the University’s academic integrity code. It is the policy of the School of Communication to report all violations of the code. Any serious violation or pattern of violations of the academic integrity code will result in the student’s expulsion from the Communication major or minor. The university presumes that you are familiar with its standards and policies. Should you be found to have committed a violation, ignorance of these standards and policies will not be accepted as an excuse. You should be familiar with the following resources:
“Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism: addresses issues of paraphrasing, quotations, and citations in written assignments.
“Understanding and Avoiding Academic Dishonesty” addresses more general issues of academic integrity including guidelines for adhering to standards concerning examinations and unauthorized collaboration /SJACS/docs/tio.pdf
Late and unfinished work – students must complete all assignments in order to earn a grade in the course. Any material turned in late will be reduced by one letter grade per calendar day late. Each speaking assignment must be given on the day assigned. No make up sessions will be available except under sever circumstances.
Grievance Procedure – Occasionally, students are dissatisfied with some dimension of the course. In such cases, students should first provide a written argument in support of their position to the instructor and request a meeting with the instructor. All grade appeals on specific assignments must be made within one week of the return of the assignment.
Special Assistance – Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure that the letter is delivered as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 am- 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday and can be reached at 213.740.0776.
grades
Students will earn grades based on the following assignments. Specific instructions for each assignment will be provided in class. Final course grades are assigned on the following scale:
COMM 322: Argumentation and Advocacy
Spring 2010
94-100 – A
90-93 – A-
87-89 – B+
84-86 – B
80-83 –B-
77-79 – C+
74-76 – C
70-73 – C-
67-69 – D+
64-66 – D
60-63 – D-
59 and below – F
COMM 322: Argumentation and Advocacy
Spring 2010
Examinations – (40% total grade) – Definition/application of terms and concepts and short essay response provide the primary means of assessment. Each exam will include roughly half the course material. Although none of the exams are considered cumulative in focus, it is assumed that students have mastered material in the course as the semester progresses.
Written Arguments (20% total grade) – Each student will write a variety of position papers during the course. They will respond to prompts handed out in class that address core seminar material. They should follow a consistent style manual (APA preferred) and should reflect a writing style consistent with junior-level college work. They will be evaluated using a 6-point rubric similar to the GRE. These expectations include:
- Structure: quality papers demonstrate a clear writing plan and basic organizational pattern. They should be thesis driven, well developed supporting paragraphs, and quality conclusions.
- Specific argumentation: This is an argumentation course and as such the focus on specific claims and warrants is essential. Your essays are all designed to analyze specific texts so it is important that you closely detail those texts, including proper citation. You are encouraged to offer your own perspective, but make sure it reflects the process of argumentation we develop.
- Writing style – The essays are intentionally short to encourage brevity in word selection and to reflect the need to select only the best arguments to prove your position. Consider whether you are asserting claims because of a personal preference or because it is absolutely essential to your position.
- Sources – In cases where you need to make an authoritative claim you should use well qualified sources. Suggestions include experts in the field, scholarly journals, and other on-the-ground informants. The easiest google results, including Wikipedia should viewed as excellent starting points for conceptual understanding, not as reference points in themselves.
Class Debates – (20% overall) Students will be assigned to participate in two debates – informal advocacy and a formal academic debate. Students will be evaluated based on preparation effort, argumentative presentation, and organization/structure.
Quick Fire Debates (10%) Students will prepare a 1-minute argumentative speech. At random, another student will be asked to respond to and refute. The advocator will get 15 seconds to respond.
Class Participation – (10%)
This grade will be determined based on three factors:
- Attendance - Simply showing up is sometimes half the battle. But, you must attend class. Students can expect two absences to receive minimal scrutiny. However, regardless of the reason, after two your attendance grade will drop by one percentage point. Chronic lateness should be noticed and corrected.
- Class discussion - This course is designed to provide students with a new methodology to approach public argumentation. The success of this process depends on the willingness of students to read before class and be ready to discuss those readings. Students should expect a substantial amount of daily reading, some of which might be quite complex philosophical pieces. If, at any point, the instructor feels the students are not keeping current with the reading assignments, there may be unannounced quizzes.
- Current Events - Each meeting we will develop argument in everyday conversation. Students are expected to read the newspaper everyday. The first portion will be devoted to developing competing perspectives and media literacy. Students are expected to cite sources, describe the situation, and develop its significance for understanding argumentation theory.
Extra Credit: There will be few opportunities for extra credit. Students can generate additional participation points by attending public debate or advocacy events during the semester or by volunteering to judge debates at USC sponsored events. Dates and additional information will be given in class.
Required readings:
Hollihan and Baaske, (2005). Thomas A. and Kevin T. Arguments and Arguing: The Products and Process of Human Decision Making. Long Grove IL: Waveland.
Supplemental material will be provided by the instructor.
Tentative Schedule *
JANUARY
12: Syllabus and course introduction
14: Introduction to argument (CH 1)
19: Narrative Foundations (CH2) (PAPER ONE DUE)
21: Advocacy Practicum
26: Formal Models (CH 6)
28: Audience Analysis (Ch 3)
FEBRUARY
2: Method: Flowing (Quick fire topics due)
4: Quick Fire Debates
5-6: EC: UDL tournament
9: Understanding Language (CH 4)
11: Area Study: Mass Media
16: Critical Thinking (CH 5)
18: Debate Prep (PAPER TWO DUE)
23: Debate 1
25: Debate 1
26 - 27: EC: UDL tournament
MARCH
2: MIDTERM (blue book needed)
4: Area: Historical Inquiry
9: Case construction (CH 8)
11: Refutation (CH 9)
23: (CEDA) Area Study: Memory and argument
25: (CEDA) Preparation
30: Quick FIre Debate 2
APRIL
1: Advanced Debate Introduction (CH 10 - 11)
6: Advanced Debate 2
8: Area: Politics + debate prep
9: EC: UDL tournament @ USC
13: AREA: Law (CH 13) - AFF BRIEFS DUE
15: AREA: Extremism - NEG BRIEFS DUE
20: Final Debate Prep
22: Final Debates
27: Final Debates
29: Final Debates / Course summary
MAY:
11: FINAL EXAM: 8:00 - 10 am
- This class is experiential and developed organically as the semester advances. Due dates are firm. However, the content may shift depending on class interest and current event development.