Norfolk State University

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

INT 322 Approaches to Critical Analysis
Spring, 2013
3 Credit Hour Course Online
Instructor: Denise Snowden Langley
Office Location: BMH C104
Office Hours: MWF
9:30 A.M. 1:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M.
TTH
8:00 11:00 - (By appointment only)
11:00 A.M. 12:00 Noon
3:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M. (By appointment only)
Office Phone: (757) 823-9490
Office Fax: (757) 823-8602
Email: dalangley@nsu.edu
Pre-requisite: INT 308 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (strongly
recommended)
Primary Methods of Instruction
This class is an asynchronous online class. All class discussions, presentations, handouts,
assignments and procedures for participating in this class are online. The information will
employ critical thinking strategies. Therefore, the instructor will present and attempt to
clearly state information for learners to critically reflect upon and review, at their own
pace.
A variety of writing activities will be employed to promote critical thinking.
Consequently, it is imperative that students have working knowledge of the computer
and blackboard applications, in order to be successful in this class.
Please check course documents for Proctor Approval Application and frequently
asked questions.
Course Description
Thinking is any mental activity that helps formulate or solve a problem, make a decision,
or fulfill a desire to understand. It is a searching for answers, a reaching for meaning
(Ruggiero, 2009). Therefore, it is the examination of how characteristic logical
constructs are employed in reading, writing, and speech acts, modeling and application of
modes of analysis that develop critical thinking skills and flexible orientation towards
reading and writing.

What is Interdisciplinary Studies? An area of study that provides students with a broad
background in many disciplines including social sciences, literature, biology, chemistry,
the arts, mathematics and many other subjects. The field of critical thinking is of
necessity to interdisciplinarity because the human mind is far too complex to understand
itself in any one dimensional way.
Course Rationale
Critical thinking is the cornerstone of higher education as well as the hallmark of
an educated person. Therefore, it is rational to say that the thinking process is
such an integral part of who we are as people. The prospect of expanding
students thinking implies that expanding who they are as human is basis enough
for offering the course.
Introducing students to critical thinking is needed in higher education because it
fosters sophisticated intellectual and language abilities.

This course will allow students to apply their evolving thinking abilities to a
variety of life experiences.

Course Goals/ Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to think critically and acquire the concept of reading as a
thinking activity.

Students will understand the reciprocal relationship between thought and

language, between the process of thinking and the process of writing.

Students will explore and discover ideas, both individually and in dialogue with
others.

Students will be able to exhibit their thoughts and critical thinking patterns in the
form of essays.

Students will be able to understand the organizational structures and thinking

patterns that writers use to create and express meaning, such as classification,
definition casual and process analysis and argumentation.

Students will be able to solve problems and make the best choices in their
academic, professional, and personal lives.

Students will participate in open class discussions as to develop interest in certain

issues and develop the ability to think.

Students will be able to solve problems, analyze issues, recognize different

perspectives, recognize inferences and judgments and evaluate and construct
arguments in written and oral form.

Course Materials/Require Textbook/Supplementary Reading

Ruggiero, V. R. (2009). The art of thinking: a guide to critical and creative
thought, (9th Ed.) Pearson and Longman, New York.
Supplementary Reading
Please refer to website: http://www.criticalthinking.org
Barnet, S., & Bedau, H. (2007). Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide
to Argument. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's Press.

Browne, M. N., & Keeley, S. M. (1998). Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical
Thinking. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
McWhorter, K. T. (Ed.) (2008). Study and Critical Thinking Skills in College (6th ed.).
New York: Pearson.

Related University-Wide and Course Specific Requirements

Students will practice four of the Commonwealth of Virginia-mandated competencies by
participating in the following:
Critical Thinking requires that students think actively, analyze issues, discuss ideas in an
organized way, and support diverse perspectives with reasons and evidence.
Writing skills: students will be able to exhibit their thoughts in the form of essays,
following the model of the EWC.
Technological literacy will be assessed when students submit assignments using the
computer and various word-processing software.
Oral Communication will be demonstrated during class participation and in group
discussions and/or discussion boards, blogs or skype.

Policy on Academic Integrity

Students are expected to be truthful and to abide by a standard code of morals, ethics and
integrity--this is to be displayed in class conduct and evident in course assignments,
materials and presentations submitted by students. Plagiarism is defined as using other
peoples work as your own without crediting them, including, but not limited to: copying
others notes, exams, essays, and information, quoting and paraphrasing others ideas
without giving them credit and proper documentation; using information from the
internet without properly citing sources, website (URL), author, date, etc. Plagiarism is
a form of cheating and will result in an assignment grade of F and possibly an overall
course grade of F. Students should follow the academic integrity policy of the
University (see University catalog and Student Handbook) and the Department of
Interdisciplinary Studies Student Handbook.
Attendance
Students are expected to engage in 15 weeks of learning. They are expected to
participate in class online discussions, complete all assignments which may include
reading course textbooks and any additional resources that may be assigned. Failure to
submit all assignment, homework, tests, and meeting assigned deadlines will result in
failure of course. All students are expected to check frequently for announcements
and any posted assignments.
Respect
You will be exposed to a variety of viewpoints, values and opinions in college that will
differ from your own. All students in this class should feel comfortable enough to
participate actively and express their viewpoints and concerns. You are an important part
of creating an atmosphere that makes that possible.
Quizzes
Quizzes may be given at any time during the course of the semester, based on
assignments, handouts, assigned University activities and discussion boards.
Submission of Assignments
Assignments are due as scheduled. If you envision a problem, discuss with the
instructor well in advance of due date. You will be allowed to make up assignments, if
an official university excuse is provided for dates in question.
Format for submitting assignments:
Students are to type all assignments, using font sizes not smaller than 12 pitch and not
larger than 14. All essays and other assignments will be typewritten on standard 8 by
11 inch white paper. Leave a margin of 1 inch around the paper; all assignments are to be

doubled-spaced. Length of assignments may vary, depending on the assignment; if

documentation or citations are required, please use the 6th Edition of the American
Psychological Association Manual (APA). Further, students place their names, course
current enrolled in, the date assignment is due, assignment number, and the instructors
name on all assignments. An automatic deduction will take place, if omitted.
Grading
Student performance and progress will be evaluated on the basis of homework, class
participation, quizzes and test, debate/group performance (online discussions), papers,
and final examination. Extra credit will be considered, if a student is borderline-failing.
Grading Scale:
A = 94 100
B- = 78 81
D+ = 62 65

A- = 90 93
C+ = 74 77
D = 58 61

B+ = 86 89
C = 70 73*
D- = 54 57

B = 82 85
C- = 66 69
F = 0 53

THIS COURSE REQUIRES A MINIMUM GRADE OF C IN ORDER TO PASS,

NOT A C-.
Discussion Boards
Quizzes
Papers/Assignments and Weekly Activities
Final Assignments
Total

20%
20%
40%
20%
100%

The instructor reserves the right to revise the grading criteria as appropriate and will
make reasonable attempts to notify students.
NSU E-MAIL Policy
Students should check their official MYNSU website and NSU Email addresses each day
for vital information from the University, instructors, and/or classmates.
Blackboard Instructions
Students should go to the NSU homepage (www.nsu.edu) to log on to Blackboard. Click
on the Blackboard indicator. Log-in instructions should appear on the screen that comes
up. Contact me or the Office of Information Technology (OIT) immediately, if you have
problems logging on.
Policy on Disabilities
In accordance with section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the American with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, any student with a disability or who thinks he/she may

have a disability to please make contact with the Supporting Students through Disability
Services (SSDS) office.

Location:
Contact Person:
Telephone:
Email:

L.B. Brooks Library, room 240, Assisted Tech Lab

Marian E. Shepherd, Coordinator
757 823-2014
mshepherd@nsu.edu

University Assessment Statement

As part of NSUs commitment to provide the environment and resources needed for
success, students may be required to participate in a number of university-wide
assessment activities. The activities may include test, surveys, focus groups and
interviews, and portfolio reviews. The primary purpose of the assessment activities is to
determine the extent to which the Universitys programs and services maintain a high
level of quality and meet the needs of students. Students will not be identified in the
analysis of results. Unless indicated otherwise by the instructor, results from University
assessment activities will not be computed in students grades.
Course Disclaimer
It is the students responsibility to read the syllabus. It is a contract between the
instructor and the students regarding responsibilities and expectations. However, the
instructor reserves the right to alter and/or change parts of the course at any time
during the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to note any changes and/or
amendments and make appropriate adjustments.