Critical Thinking

Aims at understanding and applying the principles of good reasoning by providing tools for recognizing, analyzing, evaluating, and responding to arguments. Deals with issues of clarity, distinctions between arguments and other kinds of linguistic usage, and between different types of arguments. Explores general conditions of a sound argument, logical fallacies, and irrational methods of persuasion.

Instructor: Dr. Ahmad Rahmanian (please contact the instructor if you need an up-to-date syllabus)
Prerequisite: None

Why take this course?

• It enables one to listen and read critically, communicate intelligently, solve problems, and make sensible decisions.
• It enriches one’s learning experience through one-on-one student-instructor dialogue and an interactive forum for the exchange of ideas.
• The required course material consists of a single textbook, which contains useful examples, self-test exercises, and discussion questions. The book is accompanied by a website containing review question sets, flashcards, etc.

Course details

Students have six months from the registration date to complete the course. All course exams and assignments must be completed by the designated end date.

Assignments and examinations

• 12 x Assignments (51% total) Each assignment includes 1,2, or 3 tasks.
• 1 x Bonus Assignment (2%) Find a journal, magazine, or newspaper article that contains a complex argument. Reconstruct and evaluate the argument.
• 5 x Quizzes (25%)
• 1 x Final Test (24%)

Fees and payments

There is a $150 non-refundable/non-transferable online fee per course in addition to applicable tuition & fees. Learn more about tuition and fees and methods of payment.