For the weblog:

Just provide a two paragraph summary like the example in the book (82-83). As you can see, one of these 2 paragraphs is devoted to the articulation of the main thesis and the supporting reasons that are invoked to back it up. The other paragraph shall be devoted to (depending on the argument) the argument’s awareness of the opposite point of view in the form either of explicit support for its underlying assumptions or response to counterarguments. As you know some argument pay attention to this aspect and some don’t hence my “depending on the argument.”

Ask the students to find fault with the argument (to critique it from a doubting perspective: find fault with its use evidence (logos), use of pathos (appeals to emotions), and attention or lack of attention to opposite viewpoints).

Students should refer to particular parts of the passage (page and paragraph cited with direct brief examples or quotations) with specificity to support their critique (otherwise it is pointless). This will be at most one paragraph long.

For the presentation:

Establish the argumentative conversation the argument is a part of (a contextual narrative that situates its main claim in a bigger context with counterarguments). To do this, you could articulate and briefly explain the counterargument to which this argument is a reaction.

Follow that up with a rhetorical analysis of the argument pointing out both its rhetorical strengths and its weaknesses. Restate the thesis and the mains reasons supporting it. Evaluate the evidence used in terms of STAR criteria (89-90). Evaluate the reliance on emotions (pathos) or Logos (use of logical and accurate reasoning, use of credible sources etc) and how these enhance or undermine the credibility of the writer for a larger audience.

Pick two of the best responses from the weblog and explain why they were the best!

Conclude your powerpoint presentation with a list of further questions!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Separating Science From Stereotype

A speech given by the president of Harvard University, Lawrence Summers, started an uproar when he suggested that innate biological differences may help explain why men have better career success in science and mathematics than women. Summers’ is reported to have said that men are biologically inclined to outperform women in the higher end of the math and science spectrum. The evidence to support this hypothesis is quite small. Summers also cited that there was a gender difference in the SAT mathematics scores. He states that boys tend to be the worst performers but the best scorers. In a 2003 study, boys outperformed girls by a statistically small margin. Although boys did score higher in 7 of 43 countries, boys and girls had similar scores, and in one country, girls even outperformed the boys. In neuroscience terms, there is evidence that male and female brains are different anatomically in complex ways, but no one knows how these differences relate to cognitive performance. Even though they have differences, males and females score equally well on IQ tests. One of the clearest cognitive gender differences is spatial reasoning and navigation, which is reportedly linked to math ability. Spatial cognition is organized different in males and females. A single testosterone injection will improve a woman’s performance on a visuospatial task. Social scientist found that changing a females name to a male name on identical work increases its perceived value. It is also stated that female and minority students who are aware of who are aware of gender and racial stereotypes score lower on tests such as the SAT. The comments that Summers has made are more likely to make it tougher for aspiring female mathematicians and scientists who are now being told that they are at a biological disadvantage.

After reading this whole article I found that there have been many test done to prove that men are better in mathematics and science than women. Though the facts usually show that men score higher on certain test such as the SAT, they do not mention any other test that you need to take. Also, it states that boys and girls perform equally well in IQ test. Females also outperformed males in one country in the 2003 study. Should all women be put into this “spectrum” or should you look at a female’s individual performance? Are gender roles in math and science really that big of a deal?

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3 comments:

  1. Baleigh1011October 18, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    In this article, the writter gives only examples of how men have done better than women. But, what about the areas in which women are statistically better than men? It is not apparent that in all cases, men are better than women. There are many areas where women are better than men, even in math and science. These test only show the percentage of men who are better than women therefore, it is not an accurate statistical study.

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  2. TaspiaOctober 18, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    The editorial pointed out some neurological differences between men and women which supported Summer's hypothesis someway by adding scientific merit to the arguement. But the piece didn't succeed clarifying if these anatomical differences even effect on man's or woman's cognitive performance. But what comes clear in the piece is that "studies reporting the anatomical differences are more likely to be published and reported than those that fail to find such differences"(511). So following that statement, is this even a matter of innate differences between the sexes here, or it's a matter of discrimination and socialization? Not only that,the editorial also reported that men and women have different neural strategies but then again, according to the piece, these biological basis are not enough to ignore the dramatic overpresentation of men in math and science departments at top universities. So, this study raise more arguements rather than just supporting Lawren's Hypothesis.

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  3. Meredith LesterOctober 18, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    This article sounds like it is trying to "the innate differences" between men and women are slim. The opposing claim would then be that there are definite neurological differences between men and women. The author does a good job of providing evidence for both claims in this article. For example the author says, " One of the clearest spatial reasoning and navigation ." (page 511) Also it is said that males and females use different strategies to maneuver through unfamiliar environments. Obviously men and women are going to think differently but are either one of these ways better than the other? I personally think men and women's ways of thinking are both determined by their genetics and a test taken cant determine a which gender is smarter in math and science.

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