2012 Unit Profile

Unit Code Unit Title Provider Unit Type Level of Study EFTSL Delivery Method

PHI120 Critical Thinking Macquarie University UGRD Undergraduate Level 1 0.125 Fully Online

Unit Overview

This unit aims to teach the fundamentals of critical thinking and reasoning. Students will learn how to construct, analyse and critically evaluate arguments, how to detect common fallacies in reasoning, and how to think logically and creatively. We teach these skills by developing practical techniques for the evaluation of reasoning, and applying them to arguments from business, law, science, politics, philosophy and the media. Critical thinking skills are invaluable across all disciplines, and will benefit you in academic contexts and in life beyond university.

Topics

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Identifying arguments Standardisation of arguments Counterarguments Validity and invalidity Conditional propositions and conditional arguments Deduction and induction Inductive and statistical generalisation Inference to the best explanation and causal arguments Analogical reasoning Clarifying and summarising arguments Language Broad standardisation Fallacies; evaluating inferences Evaluating longer argument texts

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2012 Unit Profile

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit student will learn:

1. how to recognise the structure of arguments, and how to represent that structure in a clear, standardised form 2. different types of reasoning, such as deductive and inductive reasoning, and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each 3. to apply critical analysis skills to real arguments from a variety of contexts, encouraging students to recognise the generalisability of these skills and their applicability to other disciplines. Graduate capabilities

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Assessment -

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking Problem Solving and Research Capability Creative and Innovative Effective Communication Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative Commitment to Continuous Learning Assignment 1 (30%) Assignment 2 (30%) Assignment 3 (30%) Quiz (10%)

Textbooks Required - Thinking Clearly (Print), LeBlanc Jill, ISBN: 9780393972184 - Understanding Arguments (Print), Sinnott-Armstrong, ISBN: 9780495603955

Prerequisites Special Requirements

If you have no prior university experience, you should complete SSK12 or SSK13 before starting this unit. - Broadband access

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