First-Year Seminar (105-6-25)
Topic
How to Become an Expert
Instructors
Barbara L Shwom
847/491-7690
555 Clark St. # 247
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00 PM
Meeting Info
University Hall 312: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
Every day on the Internet, on television, on the streets and in classrooms, we hear people expressing opinions about a variety of topics. The people who are most persuasive, however, are those who are most informed. This course is designed to give you the tools to develop an informed opinion about something that is important to you, to present that opinion to others orally and in writing, and to persuade others to consider (and even accept) your point of view. In other words, the seminar is designed to help you make the transition to a college mindset. We will begin the seminar by quickly exploring a few controversial topics, evaluating how well writers in both the scholarly and the popular press support their opinions and persuade audiences. In the process, you will learn how to evaluate sources, read critically, listen and consider opposing points of view, and develop a powerful response. Then you will have the opportunity to select a controversial topic of your choice and research it in depth, using library resources, the Internet, interviews, and surveys. In addition to learning research techniques, you will also learn techniques for presenting your ideas persuasively, both orally and in writing. By the end of the course, you will be in position to discuss your ideas in a thoughtful, authoritative way, becoming a more effective contributor in college classes as well as in conversations with family and friends. In this sense, you will have earned the right to call yourself an expert on your topic.
Class Materials (Required)
"THE CRAFT OF RESEARCH | Edition: 4TH 16, Author: Author: Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams ISBN: 9780226239736 Publication Date: 10/28/2016 Est costs new: $18.00 used: $13.50. Available on Amazon for $10.49. E-textbook: $9.97
THEY SAY/I SAY | Edition: 4TH 18 Author: GRAFF ISBN: 9780393631678 Publisher: NORTON Estimated Student Price New, $29.35 Used: $22.00 E-textbook: $18.00"
Class Attributes
WCAS First-Year Seminar
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required