The Rules of Argomentation: syllabus

Week I
I Lecture
a) Course Introduction: What will we learn in this course?
b) Course assignment
two small projects and one large projects each of which requires writing a paper and presenting it in class.
c) Preparation for the first project on argumentation.
d) Reading assignment and Homework assignment
Student who chooses a paper for the day will submit a 2-page l summary, prepare 3-5 discussion questions and lead the discussion group. Bring a copy of summary and discussion questions for everyone
II Lecture
a) Lecture and discussion: Toulmin’s model of argument What are claim, data and warrant? The important roll of warrant in argumentation.
b) Exercise (Critical reasoning by Thomson, 2002)


Reading Assignment
Chapter III The Layout of argument in The use of
Argument by S. Toulmin (1958)

Week 2
I Lecture
a) Lecture and discussion: Toulmin’s model of argument.
What are claim, data and warrant? Why do we need
to claim? Are objective data possible? The important
roll of warrant in argumentation. Data and degree of
empirical evidence.
Logic of Argumentation (Fukuzawa, 2002)
b) Exercise (Critical reasoning by Thomson, 2002)
Reading Assignment
Chapter III The Layout of argument in The use of
argument by S. Toulmin (1958)
II Lecture
Reading and Discussion
Discuss evaluation of argumentation based on
Undergraduates arguing case. S.V. Varghese and S.A.
Abraham(1998)

Week 3
I Lecture
Reading and Discussion
Discuss evaluation of argumentation based on
Undergraduates arguing case. S.V. Varghese and S.A.
Abraham (1998)
II Lecture
Scientific Explanation as an extension of Toulmin’s
model of argument. How is Toulmin’s model related to data used in science?
Skill for Scientific Explanation (Fukuzawa, 2007)

Week 4
I Lecture & II
Students’ presentation of small project #1
Interview three classmates with different cultural
backgrounds concerning the argument style. Analyze
the argument style in terms of Toulmin’s model and
then compare these argument styles, including your
own. Discuss the relationship between your culture and
your argument style.

Week 5
I Lecture
Short Lecture and Discussion
Monolingual, monoculture and argument style:
role of argument and warrant
Understanding Japanese Culture in terms of Toulmin’s
model. Culture of Tacit Assumptions. Key word:Yahari
II Lecture
Reading and Discusssion
Bring copy of the article you find related to Italian
argument style. Bring copies for everybody.
Analysis of Italian argument style using Toulmin’s
model.

Week 6
I Lecture & II
Reading and Discussion
Thinking about personal theories: individual
differences in the coordination of theory and evidence.
W.C. Sa et al. (2005)

Week 7
I Lecture & II
Students’ presentations of small project #2
Analysis of written arguments (chat) and face-to-face
argument
Reading Assignment:
J.Guller, A. Durndell and A. Ross
Peer interaction and critical thinking: Fact-to-fact or
online discussion? Language and Instruction xx (2007)
1-4
L.I. Laurinen and M.J Martunen
Written arguments and collaborative speech acts in
practicing the argumentative power of language
through chat debate. Computers and Composition 24
(2007) 230-246

Week 8
I Lecture & II
Reading and Discussion
Japanese communication in intercultural
encounters: the barrier of status-related behavior. R.
Kowner. (2002)

Week 9
I Lecture & II
Reading and Discussion
Attitudes toward language study and cross-cultural
attitudes in Japan. T. Sakuragi, (2008)

Week 10
I Lecture & II
Students’ presentation of the final large project.
Construction of a model of argument including
theoretical assumptions or Field work on Intercultural
communication and tourism in Venice.

Week 11
Lecture I & II
Students’ presentation of the final large project.
Construction of a model of argument including
theoretical assumptions or Field work on Intercultural
communication and tourism in Venice.

Week 12
Lecture I & II
Students’ presentation of the final large project.
Construction of a model of argument including
theoretical assumptions or Field work on Intercultural
communication and tourism in Venice.