Write an e-mail message to the class. Include answers to the following questions.

E-mail assignments have been designed to stimulate your critical thinking skills and to encourage you to share your insights, questions, and ideas with your co-educators in WS 103. The development of critical and analytical thinking is the key to the understanding and use of information. It is what allows us to discuss and argue points of opinion and points of fact. It is the basis of our formation of independent ideas. Once formed, ideas can be written about and integrated with both similar and contrasting information. These skills can help you to write concise, in-depth analysis, that will provide incorporation of readings with class discussions and overall knowledge. Since your exams will be evaluated on your knowledge of the material and your ability to synthesize and analyze what has been covered throughout the entire semester, responding to questions via e-mail and participation in class discussions will help you to prepare. It is recommended that you respond to e-mail questions as early in the week as possible. It is required that you send all responses 24 hours prior to our class meeting. No credit will be given for responses sent after the date they are due. Read the Elements of Critical Thinking to help you evaluate each reading.

1. Identify reading to which you are responding.
2. Briefly state the main idea.
3. Explain any bias, faulty reasoning, or information the author left out that might have made the article
stronger or more convincing of the author's points.
4. List and briefly explain any concepts that are new to you.
5. Relate this specific reading to other readings for the day, previous course material and examples from your everyday experience.
6. Summarize what you learned from reading this article.
7. Determine what assumptions, stereotypes, or previous information this reading challenged for you.
8. What questions do you have after completing this reading?
9. State your overall evaluation of this reading.
10. Unless you provide the first e-mail message of the week, respond to previous comments made by classmates. Do not simply repeat points that have been raised by others.

Introduction to Women's Studies - - WS 103

Marita McComiskey
mccomisk@uconnvm.uconn.edu
University of Connecticut
Women's Studies Program
422 Beach Hall, Box U-181
354 Mansfield Road, Storrs, CT 06269
Office - (860)486-1133 ~~.~~ Fax - (860)486-4789

Last Updated: '97