PHIL XX1: Critical Thinking
Spring Semester 2014 |Evening | Harbour Centre
INSTRUCTOR: Jennifer Johnson (johnson@sfu.ca)
REQUIRED TEXT
- Salmon, M. Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking, 6th ed. Wadsworth Publishing. ISBN: 978-1133049753.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the evaluation of arguments as they are encountered in everyday life. The central aim will be to sharpen skills of reasoning and argumentation by understanding how arguments work and to learn to distinguish those which actually prove what they set out to demonstrate from those which do not. The course includes the study of basic types of reasoning, the structure of argument, and criteria of argument assessment.
The aim is for students to learn:
- The role and importance of arguments
- How to classify arguments by type
- How to recognize when arguments are being offered
- How to recognize the strengths of good arguments, and the weaknesses of bad ones
- How to recognize common errors in reasoning
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- First test-20%
- Second test-30%
- Final Exam-40%
- Class Participation-10%
Prerequisites: Philosophy XX1 has no prerequisites and may be applied towards the certificate in Liberal Arts and the Q-Requirement.