Critical Thinking

Vztahy:

It is not possible to register for the course U04E0204 if the student is concurrently registered for or has previously completed the course 32BE-P-CRTH-01 (mutually exclusive courses).

The requirement for course U04E0204 can be fulfilled by substitution with the course 32BE-P-CRTH-01.

Garant předmětu:

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Institute of Language Studies

Synopsis:

The primary objective of the course is to become familiar with the essentials of correct argumentation and to improve students' analytical and problem-solving skills. Through the discussion and practical use of advanced methods of argumentation, the course develops students' understanding of the essential principles involved in the practice of reasoned decision-making with the emphasis on their practical application in case studies discussing recent socioeconomic and political issues. The writing and language skills developed in this course might be used across the curriculum.

Requirements:

Active participation, presentation, final test

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Introduction to the problem of critical thinking, course routines and requirements

reading: CT 01 Critical Thinking Introduction

2. Basic concepts

reading: CT 02 - 03 Bowell Concepts

3. Deduction; Claims, Arguments

reading: CT 02 - 03 Bowell Concepts

4. Induction; Common Argument Types and their Structures;

reading: CT 04 Syllogisms Capaldi

5. Clarity, Vagueness, Ambiguity; Case study no. 2

reading: CT 05 Bowell Ambiguity Persuasiveness

6. Persuasiveness; Credibility

reading: CT 05 Bowell Ambiguity Persuasiveness

7. Rhetoric and Argumentation

reading: CT 06 Rhetoric

8. Media Theory, Hoaxes

reading: CT 07 McLuhan

9. Modern myths and Post-truth

reading: CT 08 Barthes

10. Logical fallacies

reading: CT 09 Bowell Rhetorical Ploys and Fallacies

11. Logical fallacies

reading: CT 10 Bowell Fallacies 2

12. Grandstanding: the abuse of moral talk

reading: CT 11

13. Final test (in-class test)

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• conceptualize, apply, analyse, synthesize, and evaluate information more effectively

• critically reflect though processes including their own

• present rational and logical arguments to support their decision-making process

• creatively solve task-based based problems using team-work and cooperation

Study materials:

Swatridge, C. Oxford Guide to Effective Argument and Critical Thinking. Oxford: OUP, 2014.ISBN 987-0-19-967172-4

Murray, R. M., Kujundzic, N. Critical Reflection: A Textbook for Critical Thinking. McGill-Queen's University Press; April 2005. ISBN: 0-7735-2879-2.

Bowell, T. Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide. London: Routledge, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-415-47182-4.

Fisher, A. Critical Thinking: An Introduction. Cambridge: CUP, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-107-40198-3.

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Prospectus (elective specialized course)
• B-EK-prez.forma od 14/15 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EK-prez.forma od 15/16 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EK-prez.forma od 16/17 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EK-prez.forma od 17/18 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EM-P prezenční studium od 18/19 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EM-P prezenční studium od 19/20 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EM-P prezenční studium od 20/21 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EM-P prezenční studium od 21/22 (compulsory elective course)
• B-EM-P prezenční studium od 22/23 (compulsory elective course)