CPU College

Logic and Critical Thinking Course outline

I. Instructor Information

Module Name Logic and Critical Thinking

Module Code Course Code: Phil101
Course Credit 5 ECTS (3 credit hours)
Course Instructor Information Derib Chirotaw
[email protected]
Mobile No.: +251912610791
Target group All Fresh Degree students

II. Course Description

Logic and Critical Thinking is an inquiry that takes arguments as its basic objects of
investigation. Logic is concerned with the study of arguments, and it seeks to establish the
conditions under which an argument may be considered acceptable or good. This course attempts
to introduce the fundamental concepts of logic and methods of logical reasoning. The primary
aim of this course is to teach students essential skills of analyzing, evaluating, and constructing
arguments, and to sharpen their ability to execute the skills in thinking and writing.
II. Course Objectives

Ethiopian is striving to guarantee sustainable development and good living condition, where
constant and consistent critical thinking plays an irreplaceable role. At the end of the course,
students should be able to:

 Understand the relationship of logic and

philosophy, Recognize the core areas of
philosophy,
 Appreciate the necessity learning logic and
philosophy, Understand basic logical concepts,
arguments,
 Understand deductivness, inductiveness, validity, strength, soundness, and
cogency, Develop the skill to construct sound argument and evaluate
arguments;
  Cultivate the habits of critical thinking and develop sensitivity to clear and accurate
usage of language;
 Differentiate cognitive meanings from emotive meanings of words,
 Differentiate standard forms of categorical propositions from other types of sentences
used in any language,
 Apply symbols to denote standard forms of categorical propositions to form further
logical assertions among them.
 Develop logical and open-mind that weighs ideas and people rationally; Develop
confidence when arguing with others, demonstrate logical argumentative ability, Develop
logical reasoning skill in their day-to-day life, and
 Appreciate logical reasoning, disproving mob-mentality and avoid social prejudice.
Understand the basic concepts and principles of critical thinking.
 Understand the criterion of good argument.
 Identify the factors that affect critical thinking.
 Apply critical thinking principles to real life situation.
III. Course Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the course, the student will have developed an understanding of the role logic
plays in the reasoning process. Specifically, the students are expected to achieve:
 The ability to recognize and analyze arguments in everyday language, to detect hidden or
implicit premises, and to extract the logical form of an argument;
 The ability to show the deductive validity or invalidity of an argument, to recognize and
criticize the flaws of a weak argument, and to develop counterarguments;
 The ability to evaluate the strength of evidential support for scientific hypotheses, especially
causal hypotheses, in relatively simple cases; and
 The ability to present arguments cogently in speech and in writing

IV. Units and Contents

Chapter One: Logic and Philosophy

1.1 Introduction.
1.2 Meaning and Definition of philosophy
1.3 Core Branches of Philosophy.
1.4 Importance of Learning Logic and Philosophy

Chapter Two: Basic Concepts of Logic

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Basic Concepts of Logic
2.3 Techniques of recognizing arguments.
2.4 Types of Arguments
2.4.1 Deductive Arguments
2.4.2Inductive Arguments
2.5 Evaluation of Arguments
2.5.1 Evaluating Deductive Argument
2.5.2 Evaluating Inductive Arguments
Chapter Three: Logic and Language
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Logic and Meaning
3.2.1 Cognitive and Emotive Meaning of Words
3.2.2 Intentional and Extensional Meaning of Terms
3.3 Logic and Definition
3.3.1 Types and Purposes of Definition
3.3.2 Techniques of Definition
3.3.2.1 Extensional Techniques of Definition
3.3.2.2 Intentional Techniques of Definition
3.4 Criteria for Lexical Definitions
Chapter Four: Basic Concepts of Critical Thinking
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Meaning and Definition of Critical Thinking.
4.3. Principles of Critical Thinking.
4.4. Criterion/Standard of Argument Good Argument.
4.5. Factors Affecting Critical Thinking.
4.5. Relevance of Critical Thinking.
Chapter Five: Logical Reasoning and Fallacies
5.1 Induction
5.2 Types of Fallacies: Formal and Informal
5.3 Categories of Informal Fallacies
5.3.1 Fallacies of Relevance
5.3.2 Fallacies of Weak Induction
5.3.3 Fallacies of Presumption
5.3.4 Fallacies of Ambiguity
5.3.5 Fallacies of Grammatical Analogy
Chapter Six: Categorical Propositions
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Categorical Propositions
6.2.1 The Components of Categorical Propositions
6.2.2 Attributes of Categorical Propositions: Quality, Quantity, and Distribution
6.2.3 Representing Categorical Propositions
6.2.3.1 Venn Diagrams
6.2.3.2 Boolean and Aristotelian Square of oppositions
6.2.4 Evaluating Immediate Inferences: Venn Diagrams and
Square of Oppositions
6.2.5 Logical Operations: Conversion, Obversion, and
Contraposition
V. Teaching Methodologies
For the successful completion of this course, different Student-Centered teaching methodologies will be
applied. These include: Semi-Lecture, Class Discussion, Group Discussion Pair Discussion,
VI. Assessment Methodologies
Continuous Assessment will incorporate:
Mid Exam … 25-30% Assignment.…10-15% Quiz…...5%, presentation ….5-10%
Attendee & participation 5% Final Exam.… 40-45%

Moreover, the Moshe Proclamation and the Senate Legislation of a given University will
determine the Grading Scale: A Fixed Grading System. Thus:
[ > 90) = A+ [85-90) = A [80-85) = A- [75-80) = B+ [70-75) = B [65-70) = B-
[60-65) = C+ [50-60) = C [45-50) = C- [40-45) = D [30-40) = Fx [ < 30 = F

Readings and Texts

Text book
Hurley, Patrick J. (2014) A Concise Introduction to Logic, 12th Edition, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Hurley, Patrick J. (2012) A Concise Introduction to Logic, 11th Edition, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Reference Books
Copi, Irving M.and Carl Cohen, (1990) Introduction to Logic, New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
Damer, Edward. (2005). Attacking faulty reasoning. A practical guide to fallacy free argument. Wadsworth
Cengage learning, USA.
Fogelin, Robert, J, (1987) Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic, New York:
Harcourt Brace Jvanovich Publisher.
Guttenplan, Samuel: (1991) The Language of Logic. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Stephen, C.(200) The
Power of Logic. London and Toronto: Mayfield Publishing company.
Simico, N.D and G.G James. (1983) Elementary Logic, Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Walelign, Emuru, (2009) Freshman Logic, Addis Ababa.