ENGL 151-05, Thinking and Writing Critically Spring 2007

Abstract

Practicallys peaking,t he goal of this classi s to preparey ou to write on a collegel evel. However, the class also shares one of the broader goals of a liberal arts education - to prepare students to be good citizens. I believe one of the most important characteristicso f a good citizen is to be able to think critically about one's society and the events that shape it daily. To help you hone this skill, we will read several timely, diverse essays that have been chosen as the best essays published in American magazinesi n the past year. We will considert he form as well as the content of these essays; while they are provocative windows into the nation's current intellectual climate, they are also exemplars of articulate, persuasive writing. Good citizens, however, must do more than just consider questions of contemporary and philosophical importance; they must be able to formulate their own positions on these questions and communicate them effectively. Therefore, we'll cultivate critical thinking, reading and writing as mutually dependent, essential skills. By the end of the course, I hope that you will not only have a better sense of the central debatesa bouto ne's role as a citizen,b ut that you will alsob e prepareda nd eagert o participatei n these discussions.