SCOM 342 – Argumentation and Advocacy – Summer 2009
Contact Information:
Name- Dr. Michael K. Davis
Office – Harrison 2268 (If you are in town let me know and we can meet)
E-mail: Davismk@jmu.edu (I am also available via IM through either gmail or aol at davismk13)
Course Structure: This course attempts to engage the study of argumentation on two levels. First, the course examines theories of argumentation and the historical nature of advocacy studies. Because these theories are less useful without concrete application, the second goal of the course is to demonstrate the ways that argumentation theories can be applied to case studies through the use of historical and modern day examples.
Assignments:
Blog 250 Advocacy Project 200 Bulletin Board Participation 250 Practicum 100 Mini-Papers 200Grade Scale:
A 940-1000 A- 900-939 B+ 870-899 B 840-869 B- 800-839 C+ 770-799 C 740-769 C- 700-739 D 600-699 F 599 or below Course Readings:
Blog: Every textbook I looked at for this course was overpriced and incomplete. Thus, readings will be posted on the course blog at http://scom342.wordpress.com/. All readings, assignments and announcements will be posted on the blog. Students should check the blog every day.
Assignment Description:
Mini-Papers: Each student will construct a 4 one page papers that applies argumentation theory to a case study of the student’s choosing. These are research papers and will require use of outside sources. More specific details will be posted on the blog during the first week of the semester. These papers are due every Saturday.
Participation: You will be expected to post on the course bulletin board. I expect each student to post at least on a daily basis and many days you should expect to post multiple times. My expectation is that your posts will reflect on the readings and react to others posts. More specific guidelines for the bulletin board are posted on the blog.
Practicum: Former New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra once said “You can observe a lot by watching.” I believe the same is true of our study of argumentation and advocacy. You will be required to attend five events during the course of the semester and post your reactions to these events on the blog. These events should be focus on individuals or groups advocating for issues they think are important. You will do a short write up on each event. Please feel free to ask me ahead of time if you are not sure whether or not an event would count as an advocacy event.
Blog Assignment: Each student will be responsible for creating a blog on blogspot.com. Students are expected to choose a single topic that is important to them and post at least twice per week. This is both a space for you to express your opinions and a place for you to demonstrate the ways that the course readings apply to public controversies in the world around us. Blogs will be graded on their reflection of student’s understanding of course material, inclusion of new or unique views and demonstration of a familiarity of historical and contemporary social movements.
Advocacy Project: In addition to creating a blog related to your issue you will be expected to complete an advocacy project concerning that issue. Your project is a way to use the argumentation and advocacy techniques from class to spread the word about an issue you feel passionate about. Your project should be substantial and be open to a broad audience. Some of these projects will be contain an in person component, but all of them should have an online presence. You will complete a report that details your advocacy project experiences. More specific guidelines will be posted on the blog.
Other Class Policies:
Special Concerns: If you have any special concerns please let me know as early as possible. This includes students who need assistance through student services and those who will be missing class for university sanctioned events.
Academic Honesty: I will follow JMU’s policy on academic honesty:
“Making references to the work of others strengthens your own work by granting you greater authority and by showing that you are part of a discussion located within an intellectual community. When you make references to the ideas of others, it is essential to provide proper attribution and citation. Failing to do so is considered academically dishonest, as is copying or paraphrasing someone else’s work. The consequences of such behavior will lead to consequences ranging from failure on an assignment to failure in the course to dismissal from the university. Because the disciplines of the Humanities value collaborative work, you will be encouraged to share ideas and to include the ideas of others in your papers. Please ask if you are in doubt about the use of a citation. Honest mistakes can always be corrected or prevented.”
