This cluster equips students with essential skills for evaluating data, constructing arguments, and analyzing evidence. Students will learn to assess sociological data, sharpen their writing skills for economic analysis, all while focusing on logical structure, fallacies, and critical thinking. This cluster fulfills the Social & Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement.
Regarding R&C course placement into either College Writing R4A OR College Writing R4B:
Students participating in this cluster will be placed in the appropriate course based on scores and other relevant criteria. To help determine your course level, (1) be sure you have satisfied Entry Level Writing with a qualifying test score (such as an AP English exam), Berkeley Writing Assessment score, or completion of COLWRIT R1A in fall 2025; and (2) review the Reading and Composition Requirement website for all of the options that satisfy Reading and Composition. In the enrollment form, you will be asked for more information about your Reading and Composition (R&C) writing level by selecting from a list, to the best of your ability. We understand that you may not have your AP English exam score data at this time.
Course Descriptions
Note you will be placed into either COLWRIT R4A OR COLWRIT R4B – you will NOT be enrolled in both courses.
SOCIOL 5: Evaluation of Evidence (4 Units)
A review of methodological problems in assessing data relating to social life. Topics to be covered include: posing a sociological problem, gaining access to data, measuring, establishing correlation and causal connection among data, and relating data to theoretical context.
RHETOR 10: Introduction to Practical Reasoning and Critical Analysis of Argument (4 Units)
An introduction to practical reasoning and the critical analysis of argument. Topics treated will include: definition, the syllogism, the enthymeme, fallacies, as well as various non-logical appeals. Also, the course will treat in introductory fashion some ancient and modern attempts to relate rhetoric and logic.
COLWRIT R4A: “Authenticity” (4 Units)
This writing seminar satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement. The course is designed to offer students structured, sustained, and highly articulated practice in the recursive processes entailed in reading, critical analysis, and composing. Students will read five thematically related book-length texts, or the equivalent, drawn from a range of genres, in addition to various non-print sources. In response to these materials, they will craft several short pieces leading up to three longer essays–works of exposition and argumentation.
COLWRIT R4B: Hi, AI: The Case for Human Intelligence (4 Units)
A lecture/seminar satisfying the second half of the Reading & Composition requirement, R4B offers structured and sustained practice in the processes used in reading, critical analysis, and writing. Students engage with thematically-related materials from a range of genres and media. In response, they craft short pieces leading to longer expository and/or argumentative essays. Students develop a research question, draft a research essay, gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. Elements of the research process–a proposal, an annotated bibliography, an abstract, a works cited list, etc.–are submitted with the final report in a research portfolio. Students write a minimum of 32 pages of prose.
Meeting Schedule
- SOCIOL 5: TR 2-3:30 PM; Discussion TR 11-12 PM
- RHETOR 10: TR 12:30-2 PM; Discussion M 11-12 PM
- COLWRIT R4A: MWF 9-10 AM
- COLWRIT R4B: TR 12:30-2 PM
Major Prerequisites and L&S Breadth/General Requirements
| Course | Major Prerequisite | Major Lower Division | L&S Breadth/General Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCIOL 5 | Legal Studies* Public Health* American Studies* Sociology |
N/A | Social & Behavioral Sciences |
| RHETOR 10 | ISF* Media Studies Rhetoric |
N/A | N/A |
| COLWRIT R4A | N/A | N/A |
Fulfills R1A |
| COLWRIT R4B | N/A | N/A |
Fulfills R1B |
* = one of several classes that can satisfy requirement + = recommended, not required ^ = lower division requirement, not required for declaration
