Level 400_First Semester

This course equips students with the sophisticated skills necessary to dissect and evaluate complex persuasive texts. Moving beyond basic summary, the course focuses on mastering a rigorous analytical process: identifying core argumentative components, judging the validity of reasoning by detecting logical fallacies and bias, and assessing the reliability of evidence. Through a scaffolded curriculum, students will learn to defend their evaluations with precise textual evidence and deliver a conclusive judgment on an argument's overall effectiveness. This course is designed to sharpen critical thinking, enhance academic writing and empower students to engage critically with the arguments that shape public discourse.