3). Pick one concept from throughout the semester that you feel can use further discussion.
What I really did not get this semester was the graphs section in the book. I really don't see the reason for graphs in comm 21 critical thinking when i saw the graphs i was kind of turned me off on critically thinking and took my mind to a math class. I really don't understand why this was in my comm 41book. This could use some more explanation or be excluded from the book. Another concept that i did not get was Arguing backwards. This concept makes sense at time like arguing when back when people when they something you don't agree with like restating what they said but saying it in a way that makes then second guess themselves. Mistaking a person for a claim makes no sense either. A person is a person not a claim and i mean a person could be confused as something their not but not a claim.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
What was your favorite thing about the class? What was your least favorite thing about the class? How can this class be improved? Be specific.
One of my most favorite thing about this class was the fact that it was an online class. I never took an online class before and it was interesting to have done so. I like how we communicate our ideas through the social media website, Blogger.com. I think blogging is a great way for someone to express their ideas and it allows other people to see it and interact with them through comments. It was great how we got to meet up with a group to work on the projects but at the same time it was difficult to have the whole group meet up. There were many times when there were conflicting schedules where a few people couldn't make it to the group meetings. We then would have to communicate with via email or text message but it was hard to get response. But in the end we got good grades on the projects.
One of my most favorite thing about this class was the fact that it was an online class. I never took an online class before and it was interesting to have done so. I like how we communicate our ideas through the social media website, Blogger.com. I think blogging is a great way for someone to express their ideas and it allows other people to see it and interact with them through comments. It was great how we got to meet up with a group to work on the projects but at the same time it was difficult to have the whole group meet up. There were many times when there were conflicting schedules where a few people couldn't make it to the group meetings. We then would have to communicate with via email or text message but it was hard to get response. But in the end we got good grades on the projects.
What I've learned...
1). What have you learned in this class over the course of the semester? Be specific.
Over the course of the semester I have learned many things through the Epstein text. The first thing that i am able to recall is how to prove that a claim or statement is valid or invalid. I have learned how to do this by analyzing the information in each statement and seeing if any of the claims are fallacies and or have propaganda in the statement. I also learned about how media uses a lot of the same appeals of emotion such as appealing to ones fears or emotions. An example would be the feed the children commercials they feed to peoples sensitive side and convince them to give to the children. The appeals to fear is a tactic that a lot of political men and or women use in campaigns such as vote for use we will make your world better, the underlining meaning is that ones current life is not good enough which gives people a sense of fear.
Over the course of the semester I have learned many things through the Epstein text. The first thing that i am able to recall is how to prove that a claim or statement is valid or invalid. I have learned how to do this by analyzing the information in each statement and seeing if any of the claims are fallacies and or have propaganda in the statement. I also learned about how media uses a lot of the same appeals of emotion such as appealing to ones fears or emotions. An example would be the feed the children commercials they feed to peoples sensitive side and convince them to give to the children. The appeals to fear is a tactic that a lot of political men and or women use in campaigns such as vote for use we will make your world better, the underlining meaning is that ones current life is not good enough which gives people a sense of fear.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Chapter 15 Concept
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading (chapter 15), that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concept that I found most interesting in chapter 15 of the Epstein text was "the cause makes a difference." The Epstein text presented an example about a guy name Dr. E who has a fear of elephants. Dr. E believes that if he put up a wind chime on his door, the elephants would stay away. He lives in a very high sea level in Cedar City, Utah in a desert. He believes that the wind chime works cause he has not seen any elephants but it is clear to see that no elephants would ever be near his house. Since he has never seen an elephant since he put up his wind chimes he believes his theory works. But really the wind chime has made no difference. For there to be an effect, there needs to be a cause. "If the cause hadn't occurred, there wouldn't be the effect. Since no elephant appeared in his presence, no effect was created. It is good that we check that the cause makes a difference so we would not look over any other possible cause.
The concept that I found most interesting in chapter 15 of the Epstein text was "the cause makes a difference." The Epstein text presented an example about a guy name Dr. E who has a fear of elephants. Dr. E believes that if he put up a wind chime on his door, the elephants would stay away. He lives in a very high sea level in Cedar City, Utah in a desert. He believes that the wind chime works cause he has not seen any elephants but it is clear to see that no elephants would ever be near his house. Since he has never seen an elephant since he put up his wind chimes he believes his theory works. But really the wind chime has made no difference. For there to be an effect, there needs to be a cause. "If the cause hadn't occurred, there wouldn't be the effect. Since no elephant appeared in his presence, no effect was created. It is good that we check that the cause makes a difference so we would not look over any other possible cause.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Mission Critical
2). What was useful about the Mission Critical website?
The Mission Critical website was extremely useful because it was very in depth and easy to understand. The outline was so clear and each bullet point directed to a link when clicked upon. This website simply simplified the Epstein Text in one page through links. If one were to use the Epstein book they would have to check the contents and flip through pages to find a certain concept, while this website allows a person to browse through any concept easily. There were many exercises that were provided where I could practice on. The exercises were really helpful too because if I did it wrong the website would correct me and provide me with the right answer and why I got it wrong. Overall, this website is very clear and easy to understand and it is also very descriptive. I believe this website provides many information that one can use as a study guide for tests and for factual information.
The Mission Critical website was extremely useful because it was very in depth and easy to understand. The outline was so clear and each bullet point directed to a link when clicked upon. This website simply simplified the Epstein Text in one page through links. If one were to use the Epstein book they would have to check the contents and flip through pages to find a certain concept, while this website allows a person to browse through any concept easily. There were many exercises that were provided where I could practice on. The exercises were really helpful too because if I did it wrong the website would correct me and provide me with the right answer and why I got it wrong. Overall, this website is very clear and easy to understand and it is also very descriptive. I believe this website provides many information that one can use as a study guide for tests and for factual information.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Cause and Effect
What was useful about the Cause and Effect website reading and exercises?
The Cause and Effect website reading was very useful. It was much more simplified than the Epstein text and it used one example and went in depth with that. The example was clear and easy to understand and it was also broken down to different parts. The example was about a case case about a bicyclist, illegally parked car, and another car. The truck was illegally parked in the bike lane so the bicyclist had to move to another lane to pass it while a car behind it didn't have time to stop and smashes into the bicyclist. This case is taken to court to settle whose fault it is. Each lawyers can make their own claims about whose fault it is so many claims can be made.
Bicyclists lawyer's claim: If it wasn't for the illegally parked car, the bicyclists wouldn't have to switch lanes to pass it. Therefore, the bicyclist could have stayed in his or her lane and prevented the accident.
First driver lawyer's claim: It's the bicyclist's fault for his or her action that caused the client to slam on the brakes.
Second driver lawyer's claim: It's the first driver fault because the sudden stop caused the client to smash into its back.
These claims are all casual arguments that uses a mixture of "difference" and "commonality" reasoning. These casual arguments show that there is only one significant difference. Overall, this reading was clear and easy to understand because the example was descriptive and easy to analyze.
The Cause and Effect website reading was very useful. It was much more simplified than the Epstein text and it used one example and went in depth with that. The example was clear and easy to understand and it was also broken down to different parts. The example was about a case case about a bicyclist, illegally parked car, and another car. The truck was illegally parked in the bike lane so the bicyclist had to move to another lane to pass it while a car behind it didn't have time to stop and smashes into the bicyclist. This case is taken to court to settle whose fault it is. Each lawyers can make their own claims about whose fault it is so many claims can be made.
Bicyclists lawyer's claim: If it wasn't for the illegally parked car, the bicyclists wouldn't have to switch lanes to pass it. Therefore, the bicyclist could have stayed in his or her lane and prevented the accident.
First driver lawyer's claim: It's the bicyclist's fault for his or her action that caused the client to slam on the brakes.
Second driver lawyer's claim: It's the first driver fault because the sudden stop caused the client to smash into its back.
These claims are all casual arguments that uses a mixture of "difference" and "commonality" reasoning. These casual arguments show that there is only one significant difference. Overall, this reading was clear and easy to understand because the example was descriptive and easy to analyze.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Analogies in the Law
3). Pick one concept or idea from the assigned reading, that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.
In chapter 12 of the Epstein text the discussion of analogies in the law was brought up. In law, analogies are used as detailed and carefully analyzed arguments. It is also used with the important similarities pointed out and a general principle stated. Very often, many laws are vague or a situation would occur where one would not considered to be covered by the law. According to an excerpt by Edward H. Levi, reasoning by example is considered to be the basic pattern of legal reasoning. There is a three-step process in which a proposition descriptive of the first case is made into a rule of law and then applied to a next similar situation.
First Step: similarity is seen between cases
Second Step: next the rule of law inherent in the first case is announced
Third Step: the rule of law is made applicable to the second case
In chapter 12 of the Epstein text the discussion of analogies in the law was brought up. In law, analogies are used as detailed and carefully analyzed arguments. It is also used with the important similarities pointed out and a general principle stated. Very often, many laws are vague or a situation would occur where one would not considered to be covered by the law. According to an excerpt by Edward H. Levi, reasoning by example is considered to be the basic pattern of legal reasoning. There is a three-step process in which a proposition descriptive of the first case is made into a rule of law and then applied to a next similar situation.
First Step: similarity is seen between cases
Second Step: next the rule of law inherent in the first case is announced
Third Step: the rule of law is made applicable to the second case
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