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How to get the most out of The Internet, Critical Thinking, and the Catechism with Christopher Martin, PhD

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

 

Total classes: 8

Duration: 55 minutes per class

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade. NOTE: Adjustments can be made to assignments to accommodate 7th to 8th grade students.

Suggested credit: 2/3 semester credit Philosophy, Theology, or General Education

Instructor: Christopher Martin, PhD

Instructor email: chrisgooverthere@yahoo.com

Course Description: Learn how Catholics can use the internet well. The internet is so useful, but also full of pitfalls. This course examines a host of these pitfalls and how to avoid them, as well as how to get the most out of the internet. Along the way, we learn how to apply critical thinking to the world of digital information, and what the catechism can teach us about that world.

Course Outline:

Day 1: Introduction and overview of syllabus and assignments

Day 2: What is the Internet?

Day 3: Primary and Secondary Sources

Day 4: Active, Critical Reading

Day 5: Effective Research Methods

Day 6: Emails, Scams, and Safety

Day 7: Social Media

Day 8: Wise as serpents, innocent as doves

Course materials: Provided by the instructor

Homework: Students will compose a two- to three-page exercise in historical critical analysis and review. NOTE: Middle school students taking this course must instead write a one- to two-page critical analysis of the selected reading.

Daily, optional review quizzes based off of classroom lectures and discussions. Worth bonus points.