Revised April 1, 2006
This program is ideal for first and second year students as well as others with an interest in exploring techniques of critical reasoning. The program will be taught in a discussion/workshop format with only occasional mini-lectures to set the stage for class work. We will use substantial portions of the three texts listed below and apply them to a variety of short readings, structured workshop explorations, and short group projects. The program is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Friday , 9:00-12:00, 1:00 to 5:00 in Seminar 2 E2107.
Revised
Description:
Do
you want to work on improving your critical reasoning skills? The
program will focus on techniques of understanding and criticizing arguments
and theories. It will emphasize a cooperative, dialogic approach to
deciding what to believe. Thinking Straight will cover standard topics
in informal logic including argument reconstruction, assessment of validity,
and fallacies. It will explore as well statistical, ethical and scientific
reasoning We will apply critical reasoning techniques to a number
of contemporary, contentious issues found in a variety of texts
including selections from books, as well as newspaper editorials and columns,
Internet documents, and journal articles. We will discuss the controversy
over “intelligent design” as an alternative to evolutionary
science in greater detail than other issues. We
will also discuss the extent to which standards of reasoning are general
and how patterns of reasoning might differ in specific domains such as history.
Students will be expected to gather both quantitative
and qualitative material and make frequent presentations that clarify and
assess the reasoning underlying important current issues. They will be evaluated on the basis of performance
on assignments, in class discussion and project work, an annotated portfolio of material they collect
over the quarter as well as exams
(each having an in-class and take-home component). Students will deal with
the elements of the program through a series of structured workshops, including
small and large group discussion as well as mini-lectures and assignments. They will be evaluated in terms of their participation
in program activities, assignments, and performance on exams and quizzes.
In addition, students
Course
Equivalencies: Informal Logic and Critical Reasoning,
Introduction to Ethical Reasoning ,
Introduction to Statistical Reasoning, and Introduction to Issues in
the Philosophy of Science
Basic
Texts:
Jerry Cederblom and David Paulsen, Critical Reasoning:Understanding
Arguments
and Theories
(6th edition)
David
S. Moore, Statistics: Concepts and Controversies (5th edition)
James
Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, (4th edition)
(Note: we will read a variety of short articles, essays and web documents)
TypicalWeekly Schedule (All sessions in Seminar 2, E2107)
Tuesday 9-12 Critical Reasoning Workshop,
1:30-5 Ethical Reasoning Workshop
Friday 9-12 Statistical Reasoning lecture, workshop, project time.
1-5 Special Topics Seminar/Workshop and on occasion spill-over workshops
from critical reasoning, ethical reasoning or statistical reasoning sessions
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Made by: David Paulsen
E-mail: paulsend@evergreen.edu
Last modified: 3/01/2005