SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 8:22:47 AMPHIL 3 Course Outline as of Fall 2021

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  PHIL 3Title:  CRITICAL THINKING  
Full Title:  Critical Thinking
Last Reviewed:10/12/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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This course is a study of practical reasoning, argumentation, and the analysis of language as useful tools for making reasonable decisions about what to do and believe.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course is a study of practical reasoning, argumentation, and the analysis of language as useful tools for making reasonable decisions about what to do and believe.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1981
Inactive: 
 Area:B
Communication and Analytical Thinking
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 A3Critical ThinkingFall 1981
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Analyze arguments to identify and explain the claims and premises.
2. Evaluate arguments to determine whether claims are adequately supported.
3. Compose cogent written arguments.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify arguments.
2. Distinguish arguments from explanations, and from statements of unsupported opinion.
3. Describe the structure of support within an argument.
4. Paraphrase arguments.
5. Distinguish inductive from deductive reasoning.
6. Apply appropriate standards for the evaluation of both inductive and deductive arguments.
7. Apply appropriate standards of informal argument evaluation (recognition of informally
    fallacious arguments).
8. Design and compose arguments that meet appropriate standards of evaluation.

Topics and Scope
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The sequence of topics varies, but a typical course includes at least the following:
I. Obstacles to Critical Thinking
    A. Relativism
    B. Subjectivism
    C. Egocentrism
    D. Ethnocentrism
    E. Intimidation by Authority
    F.  Doublespeak
    G. Advertising
II. Assumption
    A. Explicit
    B. Implicit
    C. Presuppositions
    D. Inferential
III. Language
    A. Functions of Language
    B. Dimensions of Meaning
    C. Denotation
    D. Connotation
    E. Vagueness
    F. Ambiguity
    G. Definitions
IV. Issues and Issue Analysis
V.  Argument Identification
VI. Argument Analysis
    A. Premises
    B. Conclusions
    C. Argument Reconstruction
    D. Paraphrasing
VII. Argument Types
    A. Deductive
    B. Inductive
    C. Analogy
    D. Causal
    E. Other types
VIII. Argument Evaluation
    A. Validity
    B. Soundness
    C. Cogency
    D. Consistency
    E. Inconsistency
IX. Formal Fallacies
    A. Affirming the Consequent
    B. Denying the Antecedent
    C. Undistributed Middle
X. Informal Fallacies
    A. Appeal to Authority
    B. Equivocation
    C. Ad Hominem
    D. Straw Man
    E. Begging the Question
    F. Slippery Slope
    G. Suppressed Evidence
XI. Analysis and Construction of Extended Arguments

Assignments:
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1. Regular reading assignments from course texts and supplementary materials
    (20-25 pages/week)
2. Quizzes that cover the assigned readings. Quizzes may be either multiple choice or short
    essays.
3. Homework assignments covering material from the textbook or class discussions and lectures
4. At least two midterm examinations. Typically, students will analyze and evaluate an argument
    or arguments of types covered in class.
5. A final examination. Students will analyze and evaluate an argument or arguments of types
    covered in class.
6. Participation in class discussions (Optional)
7. Term paper in which students research an issue or topic raised in class and defend a particular
    position on that issue, typically 8 -10 pages (Optional)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
30 - 50%
Written homework, term paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 70%
Quizzes, midterms, final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
Class participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Critical Thinking. 13th ed. Moore, Brooke Noel and Parker, Richard. McGraw-Hill. 2021.
 
Critical Thinking: A Student's Introduction (paperback). 6th ed. Bassham, Gregory and Irwin, William and Nardone, Henry. McGraw-Hill. 2019.
 
Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking. 12th ed. Browne, M. Neil and Keeley, Stuart M. Pearson. 2018.
 
Instructor prepared materials

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