Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the basic concepts and techniques of critical thinking as these apply to life in contemporary society. The course covers fundamental logical notions crucial to critical thinking, including the notions of argument, sound reasoning, and rationality. In addition, the course will cover social, legal, consumer, and health issues, along with issues in the public understanding of science, medicine, and the environment. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the role of critical thinking in scientific investigation and how critical thinking applies in philosophical investigations of the nature of value. The course will train students in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential to a well-rounded liberal education, and to life as a thinking citizen in contemporary society.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of and identify a variety of distinct styles of argumentation and be able to make an informed judgement about when a claim is supported by evidence.
2. Support claims of their own with good reasons and explain why the reasons soundly or cogently justify the claims.
3. Collaborate and coordinate with others, in tutorial meetings, and in a group project involving the use of problem-solving skills and other critical thinking techniques.
4. Interpret and analyze statistical information, for example about health products, and apply this information to evaluate their effectiveness.
5. Apply critical thinking skills in assessing contemporary debates over such things as evolution, global warming, and race and intelligence.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First and Second semester (course will be offered twice)

Section 1 – First semester (Wed); Section 2 – Second semester (Wed)