Critical Reasoning

Catalog description

This class will help students become better critical thinkers through a non-technical study of arguments. Students will learn what an argument is, how to distinguish arguments from explanations and other non-argumentative uses of language, and how to both recognize and understand the structure of arguments. Students will also practice identifying weaknesses in arugments offered by others, and will consider argument forms that occur frequently in the media, politics, the academy, and everyday life. Finally students will hone their skills at crafting strong arguments, which contain relevant and persuasive evidence, clear definitions, and effective methods of reasoning. Prerequisite(s): PHL 110 , PHL 210 , HON 110 or HON 215 .