PHIL*2100 - Critical Thinking

Course Description

This course is designed to develop clarity of thought and method in the analysis and construction of arguments. By contrast to PHIL*2110, the emphasis here is upon informal principles of critical thinking and arguments stated in terms of ordinary language. Topics include the nature and methods of arguing, classification, definition and fallacies.

Note: This course can be taken individually or as a part of a certificate program.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. Distinguish between an argument and other expressions of ideas in everyday discourse;

2. Distinguish between a good and a bad argument using the tools for argument analysis;

3. Assess the effectiveness of any mode of persuasion using the criteria for cogency analysis;

4. Identify fallacies in political speech and media articles; and

5. Compose a persuasive dialectical essay or presentation in favour of any viewpoint they may hold on any Issue.

Course Topics

• Overview of Critical Thinking
• Detecting errors in our thinking.
• Attitudes and feelings that distort our thinking
• Argument basics
• Argument types
• Argument patterns
• Judging argument
• Finding missing parts
• Experts and evidence
• Personal experience
• Claims in the news
• Advertising and persuasion
• faulty reasoning
• Deductive reasoning
• Categorical logic
• Deductive reasoning
• Propositional logic
• Inductive reasoning
• Five major Inductive Argument types
• Inference to the Best Explanation
• The Scientific Method
• Judging Scientific Theories

Assessment

Note:

Additional Technical Requirements

This course will use the following:

• Respondus tool to invigilate one or more exams. 

Please view the Technical Considerations.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Certificate in Leadership : Electives