PHIL110

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Course Summary

Course : PHIL110 Title : Critical Thinking Length of Course : 8

Prerequisites : N/A Credit Hours : 3

Description

Course Description: Critical Thinking introduces skills, concepts, models, and techniques for reading, writing, and thinking critically. Critical thinking is a necessary process for identifying and solving problems in academia and the workplace, as well as interpreting information in the media. Through the use of critical and logical thought processes, students will develop practical, analytical skills that prepare them for the investigative nature of being life-long learners.

Course Scope:

Objectives

• Define critical thinking and logical analysis (Knowledge)
• Describe logical processes and logic models used in problem solving (Comprehension)
• Apply logical processes, including mathematical models, to assess and evaluate problems (Application)
• Produce accurate calculations, symbolic operations, and logical processes in writing (Application)

Outline

Week 1: The Curious Thinker

Learning Outcomes

Course Objectives:

1. : Define critical thinking and logical analysis (Knowledge)

Weekly Objectives:

1. : Describe critical thinking activities.
2. : Describe elements of critical thinking.
3. : Define words used to describe critical thinking.
4. : Describe possible consequences of failure to think critically.

Required Readings

Week 1 Reading and Resources

Week 1 Lesson

Assignments

Week 1 Forum, Introductions and the Critical Thinking Process Week 2: The Inquiring Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

• Define critical thinking and logical analysis (Knowledge)
• Describe logical processes and logic models used in problem solving (Comprehension)

Weekly Objectives:

1. : Describe how decisions are made.
2. : Describe information needed for critical thinking.
3. : Define traits of good information sources.
4. : Define intellectual standards of critical thinking.

Required Readings

Week 2 Reading and Resources

Week 2 Lesson

Assignments

Week 2 Forum, Blog Post: The Inquiring Thinker Week 2 Forum, Decision, Decision, Decision Week 3: The Logical Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

• Define critical thinking and logical analysis (Knowledge)
• Describe logical processes and logic models used in problem solving (Comprehension)

Weekly Objectives:

1. : Define deductive and inductive reasoning, causal analysis, and underlying assumptions.
2. : Describe logical fallacies.
3. : Describe common uses of logical fallacies.
4. : Identify logical fallacies in varied media.

Required Readings

Week 3 Reading and Resources Week 3 Lesson

Assignments

Week 3 Forum, Fallacies to Persuade and Possibly Manipulate

Assignment: Full of Fallacies Week 4: The Practical Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

CO-3: Apply logical processes, including mathematical models, to assess and evaluate problems (Application)

Weekly Objectives:

1. : Describe critical thinking activities specific to varied professions.
2. : Apply different professional decision-making strategies.
3. : Define good argument and thesis statement.
4. : Describe relationship of thesis statement and evidence.
5. : Produce brief review of scholarly essay.

Required Readings

Week 4 Reading and Resources

Week 4 Lesson

Assignments

Week 4 Forum, Blog Post: The Practical Thinker

Week 4 Forum, Way Different Professions use Critical Thinking Week 5: The Evaluating Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

CO-3: Apply logical processes, including mathematical models, to assess and evaluate problems (Application)

Weekly Objectives:

1. : Define credibility, objectivity, currency, and reliability in relation to sources.

• : Apply criteria for evaluating sources to websites.
• : Produce an annotated bibliography.

Required Readings

Week 5 Reading and Resources Week 5 Lesson

Assignments

Assignment: Annotated Bibliography Week 6: The Mathematical Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

• Apply logical processes, including mathematical models, to assess and evaluate problems (Application)
• Produce accurate calculations, symbolic operations, and logical processes in writing (Application) Weekly Objectives:
• : Define Venn diagrams, truth tables, and argument diagrams.
• : Describe different types of arguments and appeals.

Required Readings

Week 6 Reading and Resources

Week 6 Lesson

Assignments

Week 6 Forum, Blog Post: Constructing an Argument Week 6 Forum, Diagramming an Argument

Week 7: The Designing Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

CO-4: Produce accurate calculations, symbolic operations, and logical processes in writing (Application) Weekly Objectives:

1. : Describe charts and graphs that represent actions and numbers.
2. : Describe underlying assumptions and omitted information of charts and graphs.
3. : Integrate visual elements into argument .
4. : Produce effective infographic with argument and visual tools.

Week 7 Reading and Resources Week 7 Lesson

Assignments

Week 7 Infographic

Week 8: The Reflective Thinker

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives:

• Apply logical processes, including mathematical models, to assess and evaluate problems (Application)
• Produce accurate calculations, symbolic operations, and logical processes in writing (Application) Weekly Objectives:

1. : Evaluate progress made in development of critical thinking skills.

Required Readings

Week 8 Reading and Resources

Week 8 Lesson

Assignments

Week 8 Forum, Critically Reflecting

Evaluation

Grading:
Name	Grade %
Forums	48.00 %
Week 1 Forum	8.00 %
Week 2 Forum	8.00 %
Week 3 Forum	8.00 %
Week 4 Forum	8.00 %
Week 6 Forum	8.00 %
Week 8 Forum	8.00 %
Blog Posts	12.00 %
Week 2 The Inquiring Thinker	4.00 %
Week 4 The Practical Thinker	4.00 %
Week 6 Constructing an Argument	4.00 %
Assignments	20.00 %
Week 3: Full of Fallacies	10.00 %
Week 5: Source Evaluation	10.00 %
Infographic	20.00 %
Week 7: Infographic	20.00 %