found on daily postings. GRADING SYSTEM: Pass/Fail ADDITIONAL STUDENT COSTS: None CLASS MEETING TIME: 2:00 p.m.
ITM 423: THE POWER OF PERSUASION J. VERTIN The focus of this course is to effectively persuade an audience towards a particular viewpoint on an issue via written and oral communication. In addition to the current national controversies of immigration and same-sex marriage, students will explore several other global topics as well as some local topics unique to Doane. For each of the assigned topics, students will research information about the topic, develop their argument, and deliver it to the class. Forms of written argument will include letters to the editor, posters, and formal essays. Additionally, students will give a persuasive speech about a topic of their choosing. The course will culminate in a formal debate where one team of 3 students is pitted against another team with an opposing view in which both teams will be trying to persuade a jury of their peers to accept their viewpoint. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students will achieve an understanding of the effectiveness of a variety of persuasive techniques by learning the elements of a sound argument for a particular mode, utilizing research skills to gather quality information, developing their own arguments, and critiquing other’s arguments. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students will 1) Attend class daily and participate in all discussions, debates, and critique sessions; 2) Give a persuasive speech; 3) Create a poster and/or public service announcement; 4) Write a formal persuasive essay (approx. 4-6 pages); 5) Work in teams to participate in a debate PREREQUISITE: None TEXTS: Handouts provided by the instructor and Journal articles (linked via Blackboard) GRADING SYSTEM: Letter Grades ADDITIONAL STUDENT COSTS: None CLASS MEETING TIME: 9:00 a.m. ITM 424: SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND FITNESS N. ERICKSON Students will critically reflect on the social constructed nature of health and fitness in the US. To that end, we will examine a variety of media representations of the body as it relates to exercise, food and general health. We will also address the health and fitness industry as a whole as it specifically relates to things like diet pills, energy drinks, steroids, crash diets, and tanning salons. In addition, we will pay special attention to topics like bodybuilding, sedentary life-styles, obesity and anorexia. It is also my intention to invite several guest speakers with first-hand experience for these topics to the classroom. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This course will challenge students’ perspectives of health and fitness. Students should leave the course with a new, more lucid understanding of the realities behind the health and fitness industry, as well as a better understanding of their own health. Students will be encouraged to think about healthy, positive, long-term lifestyle changes. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students are required to 1) attend all classes; each unexcused absence will be penalized one full letter grade. 2) Students will be responsible for maintaining a daily “health journal” where they will not only discuss their daily activities but also reflect upon broader, personal and societal issues. 3) Participate in “Health and Fitness” activity (outside of class) and describe the experience in a 5-10 page paper. This activity will require students to participate in an activity they have never or haven’t done in a long time. Possible activities include yoga, swimming, aerobics class, dance class, weight-lifting, or playing pick-up basketball. The instructor will work with students to help them find an activity that matches their fitness and physical abilities. The purpose of this activity is to a) get students out of their comfort zone and to critically reflect on their own anxieties, and b) to address some of the personal and social barriers that might prevent people from pursuing healthy 30