2024-2025 Yavapai College Catalog 
    
    Oct 08, 2024  
2024-2025 Yavapai College Catalog

PHI 110 - Critical Thinking in the Digital Age


Description: Introductory study of critical thinking and logic, with emphasis on argumentation, rhetoric, and problem-solving. Examination of language, meaning, definition, fallacies, and arguments as they occur in academic and real-world settings (with an emphasis on online communication, media, and digital environments). Application of logic and critical thinking strategies to contemporary issues and practical problem solving.

Prerequisites: Reading Proficiency

Credits: 3
Lecture: 3
Lab: 0

Course Content:
  1. Fundamentals of critical thinking
  2. Biases and assumptions in thought, arguments, and language
  3. Critical reading, writing, and speaking.
  4. Logical problem solving
  5. Language, content, and structure in arguments
  6. Formal and informal logic and their fallacies, including scientific reasoning and categorical logic
  7. Critical analysis of contemporary issues and their historical origins
  8. Critical analysis of the media, including print, Internet, video, and advertising

Learning Outcomes:
  1. Describe elements and aspects of the thinking, and critical thinking processes. (1)
  2. Evaluate the role of biases and assumptions in thought, arguments and language. (2, 5)
  3. Apply thinking skills to writing, reading, speaking and listening activities. (3)
  4. Incorporate knowledge of formal and informal logic in argumentation and problem solving through categorical logic. (4-6)
  5. Apply critical thinking skills to create solutions to problems in social, cultural, and personal issues. (7)
  6. Apply critical thinking strategies to media and everyday arguments. (8)