Introduction to Critical Thinking 3003-WKM-OG

http://kampus.uw.edu.pl

The aim of the course is to familiarise students with the theory and methods of critical thinking, i.e. an interdisciplinary field combining elements of linguistics, formal logic, psychology and rhetoric.

Critical thinking is a transversal skill. Its development is one of the main objectives of academic education. It is often called a meta-skill, i.e. an ability required to perform other mental activities, such as solving problems, writing texts or debating.

The course is focused on the development and deepening of the ability to use a clear language and reason properly, in particular to justify one's beliefs and argue.

In the course the following issues are discussed:
- different definitions of critical thinking and Polish tradition of pragmatic logic,
- precision and clarity of language, definitions, detecting suggestions, fallacies of language and definitions,
- identification of arguments and their standardisation, structuring, classification and evaluation of reasoning,
- principles of rational discussion and eristic arguments,
- cognitive biases and mental work techniques,
- elements of formal logic: propositional logic and predicate logic.

Online course, at the COME platform http://moodle.come.uw.edu.pl. The course consists of 13 modules. Every module with a typical structure includes the following activities:

- introductory text

- non-obligatory (non-graded) test, allowing students to test their knowledge and skills before taking an obligatory test

- obligatory (graded) test

- open-ended tasks and discussions

- other non-obligatory tasks.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Remote learning

Prerequisites (description)

Being a Ph.D. student or a student of the University of Warsaw

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the participant:

- recognises the key concepts of critical thinking theory,

- recognises the standpoints, theses and arguments presented by other people,

- is able to structure and standardise the arguments,

- determines the degree to which the claim is justified on the basis of the arguments put forward,

- is able to identify the implicit premises and implications of a statement,

- recognises eristic arguments and persuasive techniques, identifies various mechanisms of media manipulation and propaganda,

- is aware of the cognitive biases to which human thinking is prone,

- recognises valid and invalid argument schemes,

- is able to present his standpoint in a clear and thoughtful manner, taking into account the perspective of the audience,

- evaluates definitions and correctly defines the terms he or she uses.

Assessment criteria

The final grade consists of two parts: current online tests at COME e-learning platform (50%) and final exam (50%).

Bibliography

M. Tokarz, Argumentacja, perswazja, manipulacja. Wykłady z teorii komunikacji, Gdańsk 2006.

Secondary texts:

W. Sinnott-Armstrong, R. J. Fogelin, Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic, Wadsworth 2005.

T. Hołówka, Kultura logiczna w przykładach, Warszawa 2007.

A. Kisielewicz, Logika i argumentacja. Praktyczny kurs krytycznego myślenia, Warszawa 2017.

Z. Michalewicz, M. Michalewicz, Nauczanie łamigłówkowe. Wstęp do krytycznego myślenia, matematyki i rozwiązywania problemów, Warszawa 2013.

R. Nisbett, Mindware, Sopot 2016.

K. Szymanek, K. A. Wieczorek, A. S. Wójcik, Sztuka argumentacji. Ćwiczenia w badaniu argumentów, Warszawa 2005.

K. Szymanek, Sztuka argumentacji. Słownik terminologiczny, Warszawa 2008.

D. Kahneman, Pułapki myślenia, Poznań 2012.

D. Ariely, Potęga irracjonalności: ukryte siły, które wpływają na nasze decyzje, Sopot 2018.

C. Newport, Praca głęboka, Warszawa 2018.

M. Harrell, What is the argument?, Cambridge, MA, 2016.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3003-WKM-OG in USOSweb