Logic & Critical Thinking Page

Midterm and finals consist of 40 mixed format ( mix and match, multiple choice, true/false and brief answer ) questions. After each class, a one page journal entry containing opinions, thoughts and reflections connected to the course material is required. Journals are reviewed but not graded. Journal completion is a requirement for the course. Each student is required to present an oral argument in front of the class. This presentation will be evaluated not in terms of content but in terms of the logic and organization of the argument. At the end of the class, a three page written argument is due, also evaluated not so much on content but on logic and organization. Handwritten papers will not be accepted. Papers are to be typed or word-processed in 12 point font with normal (1.5 inch) margins.

Attendance is required for all classes and an attendance record will be kept. Academic honest standard are strictly enforced meaning that cheating and plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade .Please take note of the withdrawal date from the class

Class Agenda

Subject to change. Guest speakers to be announced at a later date

Date Subject Readings Thursday, January 25 Introduction: Decision and Argument Ennis pp.1-16 Thursday, February 1 Argument Analysis : Identifying Conclusions and Reasons Ennis pp. 17-56 Thursday, February 8 The Credibility of Sources Ennis pp. 57-72 Thursday, February 15 Observation Ennis 73-88 Thursday, February 22 Deduction: Class Logic Ennis pp. 89-118 Thursday, March 1 Deduction :Propositional Logic Ennis 119-150 Thursday, March 8 Applications of Deductive Logic Ennis 151-177 Thursday, March 15 Midterm/Journal Review Thursday, March 22 Spring Break/No Class Thursday, March 29 Experimentation, Diagnosis and Troubleshooting Ennis pp.178-216 Thursday, April 5 Best-Explanation and Causal Inference Ennis pp. 217-263 Thursday, April 12 Generalization Ennis pp. 264-292 Thursday, April 19 Instructor away/No class Thursday, April 26 Making Value Judgments Ennis pp. 293-320 Thursday, May 3 Reported Definition and Definition Forms Ennis pp.320-343 Thursday, May 10 Definition Strategies Ennis 344-363 Thursday, May 17 Applying Critical Thinking Thursday, May 24 Evaluations/ Finals Bibliography

Bandman, Elsie L RN and Bandman, Bertram Critical Thinking in Nursing. 1998

Brooks, Kenneth : Cultural Diversity Without Prejudice :A Guide for Critical Thinking in the 21th Century. 1995

Brudney, Kent M. Critical Thinking and American Government. 1998

Capaldi, Nicholas : The Art of Deception : An Introduction to Critical Thinking : How to Win an Argument, Defend a Case, Recognize a Fallacy, See Through a Deception. 1987

DiSpezio, Michael Anthony and Miller, Myron Critical Thinking Puzzles 1996

Dunn, Dana (editor) and Waller, David V. (Contributor ) Analyzing Social Problems Essays and Exercises. 1996

Jonassen, David H.Computers as Mindtools for School: Engaging Critical Thinking. 1999

Keeley, Stuart M. Asking the Right Questions in Abnormal Psychology. 1995

Kiniry, Malcolm and Rose, Mike Critical Strategies for Academic Thinking and Writing : A Text with Readings. 1998.

Lemone, Priscilla and Burke, Karen M. Medical-Surgical Nursing : Critical Thinking in Patient Care 1999

Maker, Janet and Lenier, Minette College Reading with Active Critical Thinking. 1997

Manlove, Colin Critical Thinking : A Guide To Literary Texts. 1989.

McBurney, Donald How to Think Like a Psychologist : Critical Thinking in Psychology 1995

McNamara, Bernard J. Investigating Astronomy : Model Building and Critical Thinking 1998

Meehan, Johanna : Feminists read Habermas :Gendering the Subject of Discourse.1995

Perkins, David N. The Intelligent Eye : Learning to Think By Looking at Art.1994

Peterson, Charles H. Eclectic Pragmatism: Is There a God? 1998

Potter, Patricia Ann and Perry, Anne Griffin Basic Nursing : A Critical Thinking Approach. 1998.

Ruggiero, Vincent Ryan : The Art of Thinking : A Guide to Critical and Creative Thought. 1997.

Schwartze, Sharon Thinking Socratically 1996.

Smith, Randolph A. Challenging Your Preconceptions : Thinking Critically About Psychology. 1994

Spitzer, Quin and Evans, Ron Heads You Win : How the Best Companies Think- and How You can use Their Examples to Develop Critical Thinking Within Your Own Organization. 1999

Sullivan, Thomas Applied Sociology : Research and Critical Thinking. 1992

Teays, Wanda Second Thoughts : Critical Thinking from a Multicultural Perspective 1998

Tuttle, Cheryl Gerson and Paquette, Penny Thinking Games to Play with Your Child : Easy Ways to Develop Creative and Critical Thinking Skills. 1997

Tyler Miller, G and Heinze-Fry, Jane Critical Thinking and the Environment ; A Beginner's Guide to Environmental Science. 1997.

Wiegman ,Robyn and Glasberg, Helena : Literature and Gender: Thinking Critically through Fiction, Poetry and Drama 1998

Wolf, Joan M. The Beanstalk and Beyond ; Develop Critical Thinking Through Fairy Tales. 1997

Web Site

Students are strongly encouraged to visit the instructor's web site at www.angelfire.com/ma/beukgub/index.html. This syllabus, lecture notes as well as interesting links to websites of interest will be made available here.

The Instructor can be reached at (781) 769-7118 hm or by email at beukgub@post.harvard.edu

Useful Links for Students

The Critical Thinking Community
Lecture Notes Chapter 1-5
Lecture Notes Chapter 6-10
Lecture Notes Chapter 10-15
Puzzler Page