PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Humanities; General Transfer Elective
Course Description
An informal, non-symbolic introduction to logic and critical thinking emphasizing real-life examples, natural language applications, and the informal logical fallacies.
Course Content
A. Components and structure of arguments B. Kinds of arguments: deduction and induction C. Reconstruction and evaluation of arguments: validity/strength, soundness/cogency D. Probability and consistency E. Philosophical and psychological obstacles to critical thinking, including cognitive biases F. Formal and informal fallacies G. Application of rational judgment to contemporary issues
Student Outcomes
1. Identify the components of arguments, by restructuring and evaluating them according to the standards of validity, cogency, strength and soundness.
2. Distinguish between deductive and inductive arguments.
3. Analyze probabilistic arguments in real-life contexts.
4. Detect and mitigate one’s own and other’s cognitive biases.
5. Recognize formal and informal fallacies in natural language applications, and understand how to correct or avoid them.
6. Apply rational judgment to contemporary issues.
Degree Outcomes
Humanities: Graduates acquire critical skills to interpret, analyze, and evaluate forms of human expression, which can include creation and performance as an expression of human experience. Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.
Lecture Contact Hours 50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 50
Potential Methods
A. Journals
B. Essays
C. Term papers
D. Essay exams
E. Quizzes
F. Homework problem sets, consisting of argument analysis
G. Application exams
H. Tests, including short answer, matching and/or multiple choice
I. Projects, including individual or group multimedia presentations, performances, debates, courtroom simulations, panel discussions, etc.
J. Instructor observation of in-class participation
K. Small group activity
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