PHIL105 Critical Thinking

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Philosophy

1. Course Number and Title

   PHIL105 Critical Thinking

2. Number of Credits

   3 credits

3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

   2250 minutes

4. Prerequisites

   None

   Corequisites

   None

5. Other Pertinent Information

   None

6. Catalog Course Description

   A study of the classical topics in logic-induction, deduction, definition, and explanation. Examples and exercises from across the curriculum - from mathematics to literature to biology - help students apply logical principles to their course of study. The course is about thinking and how to think.

7. Required Course Content and Direction

   1. Learning Goals:

      1. To learn to think critically
      2. To learn to analyze critically
      3. To develop the ability to formulate problems precisely
      4. To learn how to synthesize abstract ideas
      5. To learn to isolate and recognize logical problems
      6. To learn how to formulate logical solutions to problems

   2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Introduction to the course
      2. Basic concepts of Critical Thinking
      3. Language: Its meaning and definition
      4. Informal Fallacies
      5. Propositional Logic, Argument Forms, and Formal Fallacies
      6. Rules of Implication I
      7. Rules of Implication II
      8. Rules of Replacement I
      9. Rules of Replacement II
      10. Analogy and Legal and Moral Reasoning
      11. Hypothetical and Scientific Reasoning

   3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

   4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Text: See Course Format

8. Teaching Methods Employed

   Lecture, discussion, classroom exercises, projects

Review/Approval Date - 2/99