161-104 Critical Thinking: The Art of Reasoning

Formerly available as 161-003. Students who have completed 161-003 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This subject covers the fundamental principles of reasoning and argument in ordinary language. These include identification and evaluation of basic arguments; complex arguments; argument mapping techniques; writing good argumentative prose; fallacies; debating, rational inquiry, and critical thinking. By the end of the subject, students should have a greater ability to evaluate reasoning, to support their own positions, and to think their way through difficult issues. These skills should substantially enhance students' performance in subsequent subjects offered by the School of Philosophy and elsewhere.

• have improved general critical thinking skills;

• be skilled in the identification, evaluation and production of reasoning;

• have improved ability to communicate complex arguments.

Four homework sets of up to 12 exercises 60% (due every three weeks), tutorial participation 3%, and a multiple choice final exam (not open-book) 37% (held at the end of semester).

(1) Rationale Software, provided by the University of Melbourne Reason!; (2) Online Learning Materials (further information available on Webraft website).