Academic Catalogs

CMST G220: Essentials of Argumentation

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 03/16/2021
Top Code 150600 - Speech Communication
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • GWC Critical Thinking (GA3)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU A3 Critical Thinking (A3)

Course Description

Formerly: COMM G220. This course focuses on methods of critical inquiry and advocacy highlighting the principles of argumentation: reasoning, critical thinking, evidence, and analysis. Theoretical components will guide the progression of analytical development and refutation. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: COMM 120.C-ID: COMM 120.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course Outcomes
  2. Evaluate credible evidence to support arguments.
  3. Construct arguments on the basis of how well they prove or counter the proposition, whether they can be supported, and how much impact they are likely to have on the audience.
  4. Identify the three types of propositions (fact, value, policy) associated with the construction of arguments.
  5. Recognize the difference between inductive and deductive logic and the use of patterns of reasoning while avoiding fallacies in the creation of written and spoken texts.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Identify argument as an artifact and as a process.
  • 2. Analyze, advocate, and criticize ideas, especially through the process of debate.
  • 3. Recognize fallacies of reasoning and argue ethically.
  • 4. Critically evaluate reasoning and evidence.
  • 5. Develop research skills.
  • 6. Evaluate the credibility of sources.
  • 7. Utilize tests of evidence to evaluate the quality of evidence.
  • 8. Recognize formal and informal fallacies in written and spoken texts.
  • 9. Distinguish fact from opinion and belief from knowledge in ones own texts and those of others.
  • 10. Reasonably defend and counter argue propositions of fact, value, and policy.

Lecture Content

Principles of Constructing Arguments Writing propositions of fact, value, and policy  Develop oral presentations using sound reasoning and credible evidence  Organizing speeches and debates according to an audiences attitudes and beliefs  Motivating through ethically bounded emotional appeals  Building speaker credibility  Reasoning  Reasoning defined The reasoning process and the Toulmin Model Claims Warrant Grounds  Types of warrants  Generalization  Analogy  Causation  Sign Evidence (Grounds) Facts: examples, figures, statistics Testimony: personal and expert Tests of evidence  Research methods  Motivating Audiences  Motivational theories/concepts  Social Exchange  Cognitive Dissonance  Basic Needs  Inoculation  Social Judgment  Critically Evaluating Arguments  Outlining arguments Testing oral arguments  Evaluating warrants  Recognizing and refuting fallacies  Refutation  Refuting needs/problems  Refuting solutions  Comparative advantage  Alternative solutions

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

Textbook

Writing Assignments

Prepare and deliver persuasive speeches that include arguments to convince, arguments to actuate, and arguments of refutation. At least one speech will include the management of a question and answer forum. Written briefs/outlines of class speeches and debates. Written and oral critiques of arguments. Participate in impromptu debates on contemporary social and/or political issues.

Out-of-class Assignments

Debate preparation Research assignments  Evidence assignments

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

All behavioral objectives require critical thinking. Special emphasis will be given to the principles of argumentation and debate by utilizing the skills of critical thinking, including reasoning and motivation. In addition, students will use critical listening skills to analyze peer speeches and debates. They will utilize the analytical skills needed to build refutation by critically examining the arguments speakers present.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will give persuasive speeches that include arguments to convince, arguments to actuate, and arguments of refutation. At least one speech will include the management of a question and answer forum. Students produce written briefs/outlines of class speeches and debates. Students will produce written and oral critiques of arguments. Students will participate in impromptu debates on contemporary social and/or political issues.

Eligible Disciplines

Communication studies (speech communication): Masters degree in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication, or organizational communication OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in drama/ theater arts, mass communication, or English OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Marteney, J. . Arguing using Critical Thinking, ed. ASCCC Open Educational Initiative (OERI), 2020 2. Required Herrick, J. A. . Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments, 6th ed. Strata Publishing, 2019