Philosophy 120: Effective Thinking

Course Taught By

Course Description

This course is an introduction to argumentative reasoning, the goal of which is to develop students' ability to reason well. We will learn to distinguish arguments from non-arguments, to distinguish inductive from deductive arguments, to reconstruct the arguments of others, to properly evaluate arguments, and to use intelligence and logic in situations often clouded by emotion. Students will also work to develop their ability to communicate their own arguments in writing.

Hours: 5 

Texts Used

Patrick J. Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic, Wadsworth Publishing, 10th Edition

Gary Seay and Susana Nuccetelli, How to Think Logically, Penguin Academics, (New York: 2008)

Different texts may be used in the future; check with the bookstore to find out what books are required for the course when you plan on taking it.

A Recent Syllabus