Logic & Critical Thinking

For my Logic and Critical Thinking course I assign Understanding Arguments 9th Edition (concise) by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Robert J. Fogelin.  I divide the class into three parts: First, I cover the basics of deductive arguments including truth tables, second, I have a unit on informal fallacies, and third, we finish with a discussion of inductive arguments, covering arguments by analogy, inference to the best explanation, and the basics of probabilistic reasoning.  More recent courses have also included Harry G. Frankfurt’s On Bullshit in the syllabus.

The broad scope of my course allows students to develop critical thinking skills, and provides a toolbox for students to refer to throughout their academic studies and beyond.  Many students have also commented that they took my course for preparation for the MCAT or LSAT, and found it useful. When possible, in order to demonstrate the application of the course content, I employ discussions of current events and public argumentation, whether by examining flat-Earthers under the context of self-sealers and explanatory virtues, or straw man arguments by news personalities or comedians.

I really enjoy teaching Logic and Critical Thinking and love engaging with the students in thinking about thinking!