Introduction to Critical Thinking

This course focuses on the practical value of critical thinking in a variety of personal, professional and social situations. Students study such things as the structure of arguments, the critical analysis and evaluation of arguments, inductive and deductive reasoning, formal and informal logical fallacies, problem solving and decision making, and rhetorical strategies. Specific topics may include critically analyzing advertisements, political speech, debate techniques, gender stereotypes, human psychology, journalistic reporting, criminal investigations, etc.