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PHIL1130 – Critical Thinking pdf

Credits: 3 (3/0/0)
Description: Meets MnTC Goal Area 2. This course focuses on studying the structure of argument, the detection of common argument fallacies, the creation of cogent arguments and the acquisition of skills needed to translate clearly constructed arguments into argumentative essays on contemporary topics. Students will study inductive and deductive styles of thinking, valid and invalid argument forms, the differences between facts and values, judgment and belief, and the importance linguistic definition plays in constructing strong arguments.
Prerequisites: (None)
Corequisites: (None)
  1. Identify and analyze the structure of arguments underlying a variety of diverse textual material with an emphasis on current issues faced in daily life and practical situations.
  2. Evaluate the validity and soundness of deductive arguments.
  3. Identify common formal and informal fallacies of thought and reasoning.
  4. Distinguish and use both inductive and deductive reasoning.
  5. Distinguish among factual statements, value statements, and statements of belief.
  6. Draw cogent inferences from information given in a variety of forms.
  7. Write essays that effectively employ such writing strategies as analysis, synthesis, and summary, and that emphasize such tasks as casual analysis, advocacy of ideas, evaluation, refutation, interpretation, and definition.
  8. Utilize the method of counterexample to demonstrate deductive arguments invalid and as a general argumentative strategy.
  9. Distinguish and articulate the differences between consistency and inconsistency in reasoning.
  10. Critique poor reasoning in contemporary sources including newspapers, journals, and books.
MnTC goal areas:
  • (2) Critical Thinking

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