2.8. Each pair presents the result of your Task 2.7 work in the classroom (on the example of one theme). The audience is to guess the color of hats on the speakers.

 Forming skills of thesis formulation and arguing for or against

English argument doesn’t mean Russian ‘аргумент’ (see the dictionary “False friends of a translator”). It means ‘аргументация'. Argument = thesis (claim)+support (evidence). Thesis can be also regarded as a synonym to words ‘idea’, ‘issue’, ‘key message’.

 3.1. Read the subtitles of the text “Mission statement of the University of Warsaw” which is presented on the Internet page of the Warsaw University and dedicated to the University mission. The subtitles contain key thesis (key statements) of the text.

Reformulate (interpret) the thesis in 2 ways: (1) in the form of a narrative (sentence) and (2) as a scheme or cognitive map: starting idea (theme) – developing idea (rheme). Make it in a written form.

 We give you an example on how to do it on the statement of the text given just after the text’s title:

“The University of Warsaw (UW) recognizes as still valid its mission as a public utility institution formulated by its founders in 1816”

Interpretation 1: The UW’s mission was formulated in 1816 and it is still valid. The mission was formulated by its founders and is based on the fact that the university is a public utility institution.

Interpretation 2: (theme:) The university mission – states (rhemes:) its characteristics (public utility institution), its authors (founders), date of its formulation (1816) and its recognition at present (still valid).

Mission statement of the university of warsaw

The University of Warsaw recognizes as still valid its mission as a public utility institution formulated by its founders in 1816: The University should not only maintain in the nation both learning and skills at the level they have already attained in the scholarly world, but also further develop and propagate them as well as apply their theory for the public good. The University realizes its aim with the participation of the whole University community: its scholars, students and staff.

Since its establishment our University's community has written numerous glorious pages in its history. It has produced many outstanding scholars and created famous scientific schools. It actively resisted armed force, organizing clandestine classes when the University was not allowed to function openly. Our students and graduates have served Poland and the world. These proud annals are our continuing obligation.

We must also remember what has been inglorious: submission to political pressure, religious and social discrimination, expulsion of scholars and students. Let this be a living historical lesson for us.

University of Warsaw belongs to the community of universities and accepts its universal aims, and its name is bound up with the capital of Poland. In response to the challenges arising from the transformation of our country, the new position of Poland in Europe and the world and the education of a knowledge-based society, University of Warsaw defines it mission as follows:

1. The basis of the University's activity is the unity of teaching and research.

The University brings together scholars from a variety of disciplines. It is the place of a diversity of scientific research. Young researchers in direct contact with teachers develop their research awareness and improve their methodological skills. At the same time the University propagates throughout society this multifaceted knowledge and these sophisticated skills. New communication technology allows this propagation to take place regionally, nationally and worldwide.

The University offers undergraduate and doctoral studies, organizes summer schools, postgraduate studies and vocational courses, initiates interdisciplinary programmes and introduces new teaching techniques.

The high level of scientific research, its connection with the education of students and the diversity and attractiveness of our teaching will determine the position of the University in the country and in the world, and so decide the University's future. We seek to be the best Polish university and a leading university in Europe. We recognize our particular responsibility toward Central and Eastern Europe.

2. The mission of the University within society is to guarantee access to knowledge and acquisition of skill to all who are entitled.

Knowledge and education today decide the lot of people and entire nations. The University generates knowledge allowing us to know and understand the world around us. Skills acquired through study ensure high professional qualification and preparation for proper fulfilment of public roles.

3.The civic mission of the University is the formation of those elites who will in their activities serve the imperio rationis (империя рациональности) rather than the ratione imperii (рациональная империя).

The University is a community of dialogue. The exchange of views, the clash of arguments, openness to new ideas and conceptions is bound up indissolubly here with respect for diversity and for personal dignity. In this way the University develops its capacity for cooperation regardless of political, ideological or religious differences, and creates a model of public debate. The shaping of the civic attitudes of students is thereby combined with the development of their personalities.

4. The cultural mission of the University is a synthesis of universal and local values.

In the emerging conflict between globalism and regionalism a special role is to be played by institutions which succeed in combining universal techniques of communication and knowledge of universal significance with maintenance of respect for the historical and cultural identity of regions and states. The University where many disciplines are cultivated - from mathematical and natural sciences to social and humanistic sciences - is a place where such a symbiosis exists naturally. The University is also an institution, which assists the dialogue between the integrating societies of Western Europe and its Eastern neighbours.

The mission of University of Warsaw approved by the Senate shall bind all members of our academic community. It is a signpost for our activities and the basis for University programmes. The University's plans for development and the decisions of University authorities should be made with reference to it.

September 2001

Source: http://www.uw.edu.pl/en/page.php/about_uw/mission.html

. 3.2. Read the text above. Choose (reconstruct out of the text) one argument for each thesis and write it down in your own interpretation. (We give an example of how to do this task on the base of the last thesis).

Example: The University has its cultural mission, which combines universal and local values. It is important today as we witness conflict between globalism and regionalism which is to be solved or at least diminished. Who but not the university with its universal thinking should think of diminishing it!

 Read our comment to the example given so that to understand its logics: Our interpretation is built in the following way. It gives, first, the thesis itself, second, it marks its significance, third, it presents an argument for it in an emotional way (‘red hat’), but it is just the form – as for the essence, it is there and underlined to be properly seen. The third position can be presented differently, as for example: “The university is to do it, it can do it, it has proper type of thinking for doing it” (or otherwise).

  3.3. Count how many arguments are given for each thesis (each part of the text). Classify them in accord with the classification proposed in Appendix 3 to Topic 2. In appendix you’ll see argument = thesis (claim) + support (evidence).

 Forming skills of critical thinking

Illinois Critical Thinking Project defines critical thinking as “reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do”. The interpretation assumes critical thinking to be relevant not only to the formation and checking of beliefs, but also to deciding upon and evaluating actions. This type of thinking presupposes creative activities such as formulating hypotheses, plans, and counterexamples; planning experiments; and seeing alternatives. To be critical here means to be reflective and reasonable, that is analytical. The negative, complaining characteristic that is sometimes labeled by the word, "critical", is not involved.

In this section we are going to try critical thinking in application to the topic of values (university values)…

 4.1. Think and formulate what university values are inscribed into the text “The Warsaw University Mission” (Task 3.1). Make a list of values and say whether they correspond to your understanding of university values or not.

☼   4.2. Come back to the text of the round table discussion on British Universities (Task 1.10. Topic 2) and reconstruct university values the participants mentioned.

Optional task (computer class).

Listen to the interview with Alistair Creelman on the way he views the future of the university and reconstruct on which values his ideas are based.

 4.3. Think what can be meant under each of the following issues:

(1) value as knowledge, (2) value as experience, (3) value as a characteristic feature of the person’s character (as a natural need).

  4.4. Write down the list of your values putting them in one(!) of three groups – (1) value as knowledge, (2) value as experience, (3) value as a trait of character (as a natural need). The first line is done as an example.

Table 3.6. Three levels of values

No.	I know	know and do sometimes	It`s an essential part of my life
1	that it’s necessary to go in for sport	I go and I do	to go in for sport
2…	Continue

 4.5. Where have you put the value “to carry out research work”? If you put it into different columns or didn`t mention it at all – discuss it. If, in the course of discussion, you have realized that you need to change something in your attitude to life, think (at home) of a plan how to do it.

 4.6. Discuss the hierarchy of your values in the following context: “The values of my new world”.

	Where did you put the values “studies” and “meeting the dead line”? If you put it into different columns– discuss it. If you don’t have it at all, think of its possible place and discuss.

 Reading and thinking in a university way

You already know what knowledge is. You have also some idea of what text and macrotext are. In this part you’ll know what discourse knowledge is. But first, you need to get acquainted with 7 steps of investigation or research type of thinking.