CRITICAL THINKING COURSE

PHIL .01: INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING: SUMMER 2000

BOB CORBETT, INSTRUCTOR

• Corbett's general introduction to Critical Thinking.
• Objectives, Grading, Syllabus and Assignments
• Readings for this course which are not by Corbett
  • Logic in Basketball, Literacy in College    This essay by Art Sandler of the Webster University Philosophy Department harks back to the days when Webster was a college not a university, and when there were no general degree requirements. Graduation requirements were that one have 128 hours of credit and a major.
  • The Will To Believe    This essay by William James not only presents an interesting essay to practice basic skills of critical analysis, but along the way raises some interesting content about thinking.
  • Plants of the Gods   This essay by Wade Davis is a chapter from his book: SHADOWS IN THE SUN. Davis presents some challenging theses that not only challenge some fundamental faith in contemporary science, but introduces us to his claims concerning the scientific status of the field of ethnobotany.
• Reading for this course which are by Bob Corbett
  What is a thesis and how does one find it?
  • What is an argument and how does one identify it?
  • Some reflections on William James' essay: "The Will To Believe."
  • Some reflections on Wade Davis' essay: "The Plants of the Gods."
  • After Introduction to Critical: Where Next in Improving Critical Thinking Skills?