Welcome
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Instructional Materials and References
Required Texts:
Mayfield, M. (2014). Thinking for yourself. (9th Ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning: Wadsworth. (TFY) ISBN 978-1133311188
Vaughn, L. (2015). The power of critical thinking: Effective reasoning about ordinary and extraordinary claims (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. (PCT) ISBN 9780199385423
'Companion Sites
Power of Critical Thinking
Assignments
For each of the units (as well as additional assignments given in class), students will do the following by the date listed on the schedule below:
Read assigned materials with care and understanding.
Respond to the main points of each chapter assigned by listing three or four key questions with answers (no more than two or three sentences each).
Reflect on the unit in writing (a brief paragraph or two).
Email your unit and chapter assignments to me at profsylvia@gmail.com, before the date on the schedule.
For midterm and final review assignments, students will present ePortfolios/PPts adapted from the weekly assignments as individual or team projects.
SCHEDULE
Session
|
Date
|
Unit
|
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Thinking for Yourself (TFY) The Power of Critical Thinking (TPCT) |
1
|
Tu 6/14/16
|
Introduction
Where Do You Stand? |
TPCT Ch. 1: The Power of Critical Thinking
|
2
|
Th 6/16/16
|
Observation
|
TFY C1, Observation Skills: What's Out There?;
TPCT Ch. 2: Obstacles to Critical Thinking |
3
|
Tu 6/21/16
|
Language and Thought
|
TFY C2, Word Precision: How Do I Describe It?
|
4
|
Th 6/23/16
|
Facts
|
TFY C3 Facts: What's Real?
|
5
|
Tu 6/28/16
|
Inferences
|
TFY C4, Inferences: What Follows?
TPCT Ch. 9: Inference to the Best Explanation |
6
|
Th 6/30/16
|
Assumptions
|
TFY C5, Assumptions: What's Taken for Granted?
TPCT Ch. 4: Reasons for Belief and Doubt TPCT Ch. 5: Faulty Reasoning |
7
|
Tu 7/5/16
|
Opinions
Points of View |
TFY C6. Opinions: What's Believed?
TPCT Ch. 11: Judging Moral Arguments and Theories Review; ePortfolio 1 |
8
|
Th 7/7/16
|
Midterm
| |
9
|
Tu 7/12/16
|
Evaluations
|
TFY C7, Evaluations
|
10
|
Th 7/14/16
|
Points of View
|
TFY C8, Viewpoints
|
11
|
Tu 7/19/16
|
Argument
|
TFY C9, Argument
|
12
|
Th 7/21/16
|
Fallacies
|
TFY C10, Fallacies
|
13
|
Tu 7/26/16
|
Induction
Deduction Review E-Portfolio/PPt Presentations |
TFY C11, Inductive Reasoning
TFY C12, Deductive Reasoning TFY C13, Deductive Reasoning: How Do I Reason from Premises? |
14
|
Th 7/28/16
|
Final
| |