CRITICAL THINKING

Course Objectives:
The course aims at enabling students to structure and manage their learning processes, and improve their oral and written communication skills through an appreciation of learning in the exchange of data, information and knowledge. The course also aims to improve the student's ability to analyze and evaluate everyday life arguments and assertions. It instructs students on how to apply fundamental rules of logical reasoning to different media and university-level textbooks arguments.

Course Description :
Critical Thinking is a course designed to help students develop their skills in reasoning, analysis, and the use of logical arguments. This goes hand in hand with the development of their creative writing and oral communication skills. They will also learn how to better interpret and evaluate the material they read and to understand and appreciate viewpoints which are different from their own. Class participation and interaction will be an extremely important part of the learning process. Lectures will be kept to a minimum with emphasis upon practical techniques and application of the materials they are reading.

Course Outline: 

 Learning Outcomes:
Upon successfully completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Structure and manage their learning processes.
2. Improve their communicative skills orally and in writing.
3. Improve their presentation skills orally, in writing and electronically.
4. Develop their interactive communication skills in practical matters related to job search, interviews, and employment.
5. Demonstrate competency in understanding, analyzing, and evaluating the language of argumentation.
6. Understand the common fallacies of reasoning and non deductive arguments.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of empirical and conceptual theories and definitions.

Skills to be developed:
This course helps students in developing the following skills:
1. Communication (Oral and written) Through assignments, case study discussions and examinations
2. Analytical Through case studies and examinations
3. Team work Through case studies
4. Creative thinking Through case studies, assignments, classroom discussions
5. Adaptability to change Through case studies and examinations
6. Ethics Through lectures and assignments
7. Use of information technology

Evaluating Student Performance:
Class participation and attendance 10%
Individual assignments (two) 20%
Mid-Term Examination 20%
Project presentation 20%
Final Examination 30% 

Grading:
Percentage Score Letter Grade GPA Points Percentage Score Letter Grade GPA Points

90 – 100 A 4.0 70 - 74 C 2.0
85 - 89 B+ 3.5 65 - 69 D+ 1.5
80 - 84 B 3.0 60 - 64 D 1.0
75 - 79 C+ 2,5 < 60 F 0.0

Educational Resources: 

Course Schedule & Outline:
Sixteen Week Semester, 4.5 hrs/week