How to be more rational: critical thinking, logic and reasoning (International Summer School) ADED12023E

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: Short Courses
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Summer
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

What does it mean to be more rational? What tools and techniques can be employed to become more rational? This course will address these and related questions by teaching you how to think logically and to reason clearly and methodically about any subject matter. In daily talks, discussions and learning activities, you will be introduced to foundational concepts and techniques in logic and reasoning, including: the structure of arguments, deduction, induction, rational persuasiveness, logical fallacies, and cognitive biases.

Timetable

Two 2-hour classes per day, for five days per week (Monday-Friday)

2 weeks

Total 40 hours

Days and times TBC

Requirements of Entry

Please refer to the entry requirements as set out on the University of Glasgow International Summer School web pages: University of Glasgow - Study - Visiting students - International Summer School - Our courses - How to be More Rational

Excluded Courses

ADED11794E How to be more rational: an introduction to logic and systematic reasoning

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

1. an argument reconstruction exercise (up to 1,500 words) (75%)

Students will reconstruct into standard form and then evaluate the arguments to be found in a selected passage, identifying any rhetorical ploys and fallacies. In addition, students will be asked to answer a small number of short explanatory questions about basic logical concepts.

2. An online multiple-choice quiz on basic concepts employed in the course (25%)

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Introduce some of the basic methods required to think logically

■ Provide techniques for reasoning clearly and methodically about any subject matter

■ Examine foundational concepts in logic and reasoning

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain key concepts from logic such as induction, deduction, and rational persuasiveness

■ Apply these concepts to your own arguments and those of other people

■ Employ basic techniques of argument reconstruction and evaluation

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.