Text:

Chaffee, John, Thinking Critically, Eighth Edition

Shared reading:

Kaufman, Moises, The Laramie Project

Course description:

This course is designed to introduce you to the theory and practice of critical thinking. Lectures, readings, in class, written and oral assignments will assist you in developing your critical thinking powers, one of the most important factors in academic and, for that matter, life success. You will be asked to do a substantial amount of reading, research, writing, and class presentation. There is an electronic laboratory component of the class

Attendance/Punctuality:

You are expected to attend all class, to be to class on time, and to leave class only at scheduled breaks. If you are absent more than five hours of class time for any reason you will fail the course and not be given credit. You may not assume that you can make up major projects and exams. You are late if you enter class 5 or more minutes after it is scheduled to begin-4 such lateness equals one hour absence. If you are late more than 20 minutes or leave more than 20 minutes early, you will be counted absent one hour.

All written assignments are due the day assigned. Homework will be accepted late only in the event of serious illness. Otherwise, papers should be emailed to the instructor by the assigned date at:
richmondga@lagcc.cuny.edu

Grading

Topics, Readings and Assignments

Chapter 1 Thinking  

1. Introduction Living an examined life  

2. Achieving your goals 4 - 15

3. Making decisions 15 - 26 Thinking Activity. 1.2(pg. 11) Analyzing a future goal  

4. Thinking Creatively 26 - 35

5. Becoming more creative 35 - 46 Thinking Activity 1.8(pg. 29)  

Chapter 2 Thinking Critically  

6. Becoming a critical thinker 47 - 56 Thinking actively Asking questions  

7. Becoming a critical thinker 56 - 66 Thinking independently Perspective-taking Supporting views

8. Discussing ideas 66 - 73 Thinking Activity 2.9 (pg. 70) "Thinking Towards Decisions" (excerpts) Creating a dialogue Prepare for debates  

9. Debates

10. Debates

11. Analyzing issues 73 - 80 Mary Barnett case  

12. Mary Barnett class trial 80 – 89 Debate Analysis Reasoning of jurors and judges  

13. Exam #1  

Chapter 3 Solving Problems  

13. Solving problems 90 - 101 Accepting & Identifying the problem  

14. Solving problems 101 - 110 Thinking Activity 3.2 (pg. 110) Generating, evaluating alternatives An unsolved problem Reaching a solution  

15. Problem-solving presentations

16. Problem-solving presentations  

Chapter 4 Perceiving  

17. Viewing the world through lenses 129 - 142 Written analysis of T.A. 3.2  

18. Analyzing contrasting perspectives 142 - 148 Assassination of Malcolm X 9/11 attacks  

19. Thinking critically about perceptions 149 - 156 Plato's Allegory of the Cave  

20. Perception and Global Conflict 156 - 169 Thinking Activity 4.4 (pg. 146) Contrasting Accounts  

21. Thinking Critically About Images: Truth and Reality in Popular Culture (pgs. 1-1 to 1-8)  

Chapter 5 Believing and Knowing  

22. Constructing knowledge 170 - 181 21. Knowledge and Truth 181 - 193 Stages of Knowing  

22. Thinking Critically about Beliefs 193 - 211

23. LaGuardia & Wagner Archives visit

24. Thinking Critically About Images Thinking Activity 5.7 pg. 194) Truth and Reality in the Media (pgs. 2-1 to 2-8)

Chapter 6 Language and Thought  

25. The nature of language 222 - 236  

24. Using language effectively 236 - 246 Archive project  

26. Using language persuasively 253 - 264 27. Exam #2  

Chapter 7 Forming and Applying Concepts  

27. Forming concepts 271 - 281 Compose a persuasive speech  

28. Applying concepts 281 - 291

29. Defining concepts 291 - 301 Who's an American? What is "religion?"  

30. Thinking critically about 366 - 381 Defining a complex concept moral judgments  

Chapter 10 Constructing Arguments  

31. Constructing arguments 389 - 398

32. Evaluating arguments 398 - 411

33. Extended arguments 411 - 425 Thinking Activity 10.4 (pg. 412) Human cloning: pro/con Compose an extended argument  

34. Fallacies 432 - 437 453 - 466  

Chapter 12 Thinking Critically, Living Creatively  

35. Creating a life philosophy 486 -493

36. Finding Meaning in Life 499 - 520    

FINAL EXAM