PHIL105 Critical Thinking
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Philosophy
- I. Course Number and Title
- PHIL105 Critical Thinking
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course meets the General Education requirement in Critical Thinking.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Students examine the nature of both formal and informal reasoning in order to think more clearly and avoid biases. In addition to studying informal fallacies, students learn basic patterns of deductive and non-deductive argument analysis. Examples from across disciplines help students apply critical thinking to all areas of inquiry.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- Analyze formal and informal fallacies;
- Recognize the differences between deductive and non-deductive arguments;
- Apply logical methods, such as truth tables and standard deduction to formalized arguments;
- Formulate problems precisely; and
- Synthesize critical responses to contemporary issues in law, society, and/or science [Critical Thinking].
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Introduction to the Course
- Basic Concepts of Critical Thinking
- Language: Its Meaning and Definition
- Informal Fallacies
- Argument Patterns
- Truth Tables
- Rules of Standard Deduction
- Analogy and Legal and Moral Reasoning
- Hypothetical and Scientific Reasoning
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
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Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Text: See course syllabus
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Review/Approval Date - 2/99; Revised 11/11; New Core 8/2015