Professor Paul Mazzocchi

pamazzoc@yorku.ca

Office Hours: TBD via Zoom.

This course introduces students to critical thinking and informal logic, with a focus on issues related to morality and values.  The course is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on developing technical skills and knowledge related to critical thinking and assessing arguments. It addressing the following topics: the nature of critical thinking and the structure of arguments; mapping arguments; ways of evaluating particular types of arguments, including causal arguments, generalizations, etc.; common forms of faulty reasoning used in arguments; conceptual analysis and the understanding of language, concepts and meaning; how to apply these skills to read and analyze passages of text. The second part of the course focuses on applying critical thinking to specific issues related to morality and values. We begin with an introduction to ethical/moral theories (i.e. theories about how we “ought” to act and that are used to assess moral issues). We then move into assessing different debates around animal rights, distributive justice, global justice, free speech and pornography, and civil disobedience. In addressing these issues, the purpose of the course is not to teach a particular position on topics; it is to help students strengthen their ability to assess arguments and to make and develop arguments of their own.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

As portions of the course will be taught synchronously, students will need: 1) a computer or other device with a camera; 2) to install Zoom on their device; 3) access to high-speed internet.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices  

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

Jean Saindon and Peter Krek, Critical Thinking: Argument and Argumentation. ISBN: 9780176661007. Available at the York Bookstore.

All other readings will be available via Moodle/eClass.

Homework Assignments:

There will be homework assignments (based on lectures and reading materials) due before the start time for class in which they are due. Homework assignments must be submitted before the start of the class in which they are due. Late assignments will only be accepted if medical documentation is provided in advance of the due date. 

Passage Analysis Assignment:

The assignment will be posted on Moode on October 7^th and will be due October 19^th. Further details will be posted on Moodle prior to the due date.

Position Paper:

For the position paper, students will be required to write a paper defending a position on animal rights, distributive justice, or global justice. Further details will be posted on Moodle prior to the due date.

Take Home Final

The take home assignment will be posted on Moodle on December 2^nd and will be due December 16^th. Further details will be posted on Moodle prior to the due date.

Participation/Attendance

This grade will be based on two things:

• Completion of participation assignments in the first half of the course (i.e. the classes before reading week). These will be small exercises based on the readings and lectures. These assignments will not be graded: they are for completion only and will be considered in relation to your participation grade. Participation assignments must be completed/submitted before the start of the class in which they are due. Late assignments will NOT be accepted under any circumstances.
• Attendance and informed participation during the synchronous classes in the second half of the course (i.e. after reading week).

Class Times and the Organization of the Course:

The official course times are Monday and Wednesday, 16:00-19:00 (Eastern Standard/Toronto Time). The course will have both asynchronous (i.e. lectures will be posted online) and synchronous (i.e. conducted via Zoom) components:

• Prior to reading week, all classes will be asynchronous except the classes on January 11, February 8 and February 10, which will run synchronously via Zoom.

• Following the reading week, lectures will be posted for the Monday and Wednesday readings by class start time on Monday and will only be available until the class start time on Wednesday. There will then be a synchronous class on Wednesdays.

This is a skills-based course. Consequently, the main focus is not on content but on the development of critical thinking, argumentation, reading comprehension, and essay writing skills. After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Distinguish arguments and non-arguments;
• Put arguments into standard argument form;
• Understand how to assess/evaluate generalizations, causal arguments, arguments from analogy, appeals to experts, and inference to the best explanation;
• Identify and neutralize fallacies;
• Understand how to assess the use of concepts;
• Be able to summarize arguments in their own words;
• Understand how to apply these skills to critically analyse texts;
• Understand key ethical theories;
• Be able to evaluate and develop arguments in written and oral form in relation to the moral issues addressed in the course.

Course Material: 1) course material (including lectures, assignments and any other material posted on the Moodle page) is only to be used for educational purposes and as a means to enhance accessibility; 2) students do not have permission to duplicate, copy and/or distribute this material outside of class, which potentially constitutes a violation of copyright, FIPPA, and York’s academic honesty policy; 3) none of the synchronous classes will be recorded in any way.

Late Penalties: For the Passage Analysis, Position Paper and Take-Home Final, the late penalty is 5% per day, including weekends.  Extensions will only be granted if students have acceptable reason for receiving an extension and can provide relevant documentation. Papers not submitted within two weeks of the due date will receive a 0%.