Course Description: Development of practical, logical, and problem-solving skills important to all disciplines, with emphasis on the composition of argumentative essays. Definitions, types of meanings, fallacious and deceptive arguments, deductive and inductive reasoning. Introduction to major forms of scientific and logical reasoning used across humanities, sciences and social sciences, including deductive, hypothetico-deductive, and inductive arguments such as statistical, causal, and analogical. This course may be used as one of the courses required in Area B, Institutional Options, and is designed to prepare students for courses in Areas C, D, and E. This course is not an introduction to philosophy. Students interested in an introduction to philosophy should take Philosophy 2010 (Introduction to Philosophy).

Course Materials: Students should purchase a copy of the textbook, Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing, by Barnet and Bedau, in either the 8th or 9th edition.

Course Assignments: TBD

Dedicated Time Requirement: Students should expect to spend about the same amount of time preparing for this course as you would one that meets on campus — 10 hours a week or so reading the text, reviewing the lessons, completing and preparing assignments, and participating in course discussions.

The course is entirely asynchronous, meaning we don’t meet any particular time. However, there are due dates throughout the week; notably, a discussion board post due each Wednesday at 9pm, a quiz due by Friday at 9:30pm, and the remainder of the weekly assignments due by Sunday at 9pm.

Please contact Prof Robert Robinson for any questions: rrobinson43@gsu.edu