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Course Module Information
Course Modules
PI1101: Critical Thinking and Persuasive Writing
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Successful humanities students are sophisticated consumers and producers of arguments. In this key skills module students will learn to distinguish arguments from other forms of persuasion; to map the argumentative structure of a complex text; to spot fallacious patterns of reasoning; and to plan and compose a strong argumentative essay. Since these skills are not topic-specific, illustrations will be drawn from a range of academic disciplines. No knowledge of philosophy will be assumed.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Distinguish arguments from non-argumentative forms of persuasion
- Map the argumentative structure of a text, even when the topic is unfamiliar
- Correctly use the terms ‘premise’, ‘conclusion’, ‘inference’, ‘conditional’, ‘counterexample’, 'valid' and 'invalid'
- Criticise an argument without (necessarily) rejecting its conclusion
- Recognise question-begging arguments, arguments ad hominem, arguments from false dichotomies, and simple fallacies involving conditionals, quantifiers, and misleading statistics.
- Plan and compose an essay with a clear argumentative structure
Assessments
- Written Assessment (50%)
- Continuous Assessment (50%)
Teachers
- ANN O'HIGGINS:
Research Profile |
Email
- NICK TOSH:
Research Profile |
Email
- EDWARD CAMPBELL:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.