|
|
|
This course uses
the
rhetorical treatise of Aristotle,
On
Rhetoric, because of its
philosophical perspective
that critical thought is
necessary to preserve human
interests and dignity in public decision making about the
public welfare.
|
|
This course assumes that an important goal in a liberal arts education is preparing students to become concerned and active participants in public decision making.
Such participation requires the ability to think critically, i.e., to question matters analytically in terms of relevant values and beliefs, and to form judgments based upon both ethical and aesthetic constraints.
Throughout the process, students are discouraged from merely accepting information or rejecting it automatically, without any thought, and are encouraged to question and to assess all communication efforts in terms of specific values and beliefs.
Thus, the primary objective of the course is to develop the ability to determine what constitutes ethical criteria, to think critically, and to analyze communicated messages fully, for the purpose of participating responsibly in the process of public decision making.
CLICK FOR ENTRY TO WEBCT
COM 121 has been designated as a HUMANITIES course because it teaches what has traditionally been recognized as humanistic mode of thought, i.e., rational decision making.
This site was first created 1 August 1998. Last updated 25 May 2004. |
Questions about the course may be directed to
the instructor at --
bbennett@bama.ua.edu.
The views, opinions, and conclusions expressed in this web site are those
of the author. The content of this web site has not been reviewed or approved
by the University of Alabama. The author is solely responsible for its
content.
