Critical Thinking (Phil. 204)
T, Th 12:30-1:50 (HSB 120)
Instructor: Dr. Darrell Arnold
Office: Psych 165
Tel. 2620
Office Hours: T, Th 9:45 - 10:45; M, W, F 11:00 - 12:00
Course Description: This course aims to help students reason better in everyday life. (1) It introduces students to the difference between good and bad reasoning, (2) draws out the difference between induction and deduction, while introducing basic syllogistic proofs, and indirect proofs, etc. (3) It also introduces students to logical fallacies, (4) outlines psychological impediments to cogent reasoning, (5) and discusses the way language frames dialogue and can be used to manipulate meaning. (6) In doing all this, it will heighten students' awareness of the use of bad reasoning in the public sphere, in advertising, media, education, and politics. This course is very hands-on. It involves much classroom work, and much writing.
Objectives: The fundamental aim of this course is to help students improve their ability to reason about problems confronted in everyday life and in the social political sphere. Concretely this means the students should become acquainted with basic principles of good reasoning and gain a heightened awareness of ways that people are deceived by fallacious reasoning. This involves learning the issues outlined above. They should also improve their writing and presentation skills.
Course work: Regular class participation and readings, panel debates, notebook assignments for each chapter of the text book, a short presentation of one (or more) of the notebook assignments and of one of the position papers, and three tests.
The content of these assignments is outlined below and will be discussed in class.
Grading:
Panel debates: 10%.
Notebook assignments: 10% each (a cumulative 30%).
Position papers: 10% each (a cumulative 30%).
Presentation of results of notebook exercises and of position papers: 5%.
Tests: a cumulative 20%.
Attendance/class participation: 5%.
For cheating, students will fail their tests or assignments and may fail the course.
Grading scale:
93-100 = A
90-93 = A-
87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B-
77-79 = C+
70-76 = C
67-69 = D +
60-66 = D
0 – 59 = F
Second test: Study tips
There will be multiple choice focussing on chapters 6 and 7. Because of the nature of the standardized tests, it's not possible to give specific study guide questions. The following tips should be helpful.
Chapter 6: focus on subsections 6.1-6.7.
Chapter 7: focus on subsections 7.1-7.4.
Chapter 8: Know the details of the margin note and summary method. You will have to analyse and summarize an argument. Specifically, you will need to state the thesis and show the main reasons given for accepting it.
Chapter 9: Know the structure of a typical position paper. You will have to summarize your argument giving this form.
Texts and Materials: Howard Kahane and Nancy Cavender, Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric. The Use of Reason in Everyday Life. Tenth Edition. 2006. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Book Companion Website
Students with Disabilities: This university abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no students shall be denied the benefits of an education solely by reason of a handicap. If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the instructor to make arrangements. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Room 232.
Readings
Readings
Writing assingntments and Panel Discussions
Notebooks
Position papers
Panel Discussions
PDF Documents for the course
These will be added in the course of the semester, as we deal with each topic.
Related Audio and Video Content
James Randi on the paranormal
Scientists on evolution and creationism
Daniel Dennett on memes
Ron Paul on Patriotism
George Lakoff on framing
Daniel Kahneman on intuition and discursive reasoning
General Links for Related Texts
Book Companion Website