Critical Thinking

UAB

Welcome to the Critical Thinking course, a transformative journey that invites you to enhance your critical thinking skills and explore the intricate dynamics of cognition, rhetoric, and argumentation. Throughout this intellectual adventure, our goal is to equip you with practical tools and insights essential for navigating the complex landscape of critical thinking. In this introductory course, you will learn to identify, evaluate, and avoid fallacies and belief mistakes that can lead to misguided conclusions. We emphazise the practical skill of critical argumentation, using real examples to provide a hands-on learning experience from the very start. The methods taught are rooted in cutting-edge techniques from argumentation theory, informal logic, and the latest discoveries in cognition and reasoning. The course culminates in an engaging Argument Debate Week, where you will put your newly acquired skills into practice. No prerequisites are needed, and during the initial week, electronic devices are prohibited to encourage focused learning. All course materials will be accessible on Campus Virtual.

What sets our course apart is its focus to real-world application. As you progress, you will not only analyze and evaluate arguments but also learn to construct persuasive ones, gaining skills vital in academic, professional, and everyday settings. The curriculum bridges theory and practice through practical exercises, case studies, and lively discussions. In recognition of the growing role of technology, we incorporate the transformative potential of generative AI. As a unique aspect of our course, you will explore rhetorical writing, utilizing AI tools to engage with and participate in the evolving landscape of persuasive communication in the digital era.

Prepare to push the boundaries of traditional rhetoric and witness the synergy between human intellect and artificial innovation. The Critical Thinking course is more than just a theoretical study; it's a dynamic experience crafted to empower you with the skills, knowledge, and innovative techniques needed to thrive in a world where effective communication and critical reasoning are crucial. Join us on this intellectual journey, where the integration of theory and practice fosters the growth of sharp, critical thinkers.

Courses generally have little or no prerequisite knowledge required for a given topic, however if students face any doubts, we recommend they contact course professors to clarify.

Critical Thinking
Week	Contents	Teaching/learning activities
1	Introduction to Critical Thinking: Definition, importance and relevance in today's world Cognitive Processes: Overview of how perception, memory and attention influence thinking Barriers to Critical Thinking: Exploring obstacles like post-truth, fake news, and cognitive biases.	Lecture and discussion on the core concepts and significance of critical thinking Exercise: Analyze a simple scenario to identify critical thinking elements. Group activity: Case studies to uncover common barriers to critical thinking. Class discussion on strategies to overcome cognitive biases Workshop on the role of perception, memory, and attention in reasoning Reflection: Individual analysis on how cognitive biases influence personal decision-making.
2	Elements of Argumentation: Understanding argument structure, logic, and common fallacies. AI in Critical Thinking: Using generative AI (e.g ChatGPT) to analyze and construcht arguments. Advanced Techniques: Building effective counterarguments, refutations and persuasive methods	Debate: Students present structured arguments in an in-class debate. Peer Review: Critiquing each other's argument structures for strengths and weaknesses. Workshop on using generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to generate and analyze arguments. Team exercise: Collaborative creation of arguments utilizing AI assistance. Role-playing activity: Practicing counterarguments and refutations in real-time scenarios. Group exercise: Analyze and critique persuasive techniques in media or real-world examples.
3	Rhetoric and Persuasive Communication: Introduction to the art of rhetoric, its historical role, and ethical considerations. Critical Thinking in Real World Contexts: Applying critical thinking skills to professional settings, media analysis and advertisements. Case Studies and Debates: Engaging with real-world cases to refine argumentation and apply skills.	Videos analysis: Study effective rhetoric in action through speeches or media clips Team project: Analyze a persuasive speech and present findings to the class Workshop on applying critical thinking in professional environments, with an emphasis on ethical decision-making Case Study: Team-based analysis of real-world cases, followed by a presentation. Final debates: Teams present and defend arguments developed throughout the course. Individual Reflection: Assessing personal growth and applying critical thinking skills, including AI integration.

The course will be evaluated on the basis of diary exercises and on the qualification of 3 weekly Assignments (A):

A1) Exercises on deductive/inductive & related arguments.

A2) Writing a short argument.

A3) Group class debate activity.

A4) General participation

The grading formula is: A1 (20%) + A2 (30%) +A3 (50%, as a result of several sums of related exercises, to be detailed in class)

Douglas, M. (1996). Thought styles: critical essays on good taste. UK: Sage.
Groarke, L. (2017) Informal Logic, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2017 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)
Johnson-Laird, P. N. (2006). How we reason. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kahneman, D., & Egan, P. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow (Vol. 1). New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Moore, B. N., Parker, R., & Rosenstand, N. (2011). Critical thinking. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Swatridge, C. (2014). Oxford guide to effective argumentation and critical thinking, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Douglas, M. (1996). Thought styles: critical essays on good taste. UK: Sage.
Groarke, L. (2017) Informal Logic, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2017 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)
Johnson-Laird, P. N. (2006). How we reason. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kahneman, D., & Egan, P. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow (Vol. 1). New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Moore, B. N., Parker, R., & Rosenstand, N. (2011). Critical thinking. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Walton, D. (2005). Fundamentals of critical argumentation. Cambridge University Press.
Swatridge, C. (2014). Oxford guide to effective argumentation and critical thinking, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Vallverdú, J. & Müller, V. (2018). Blended Cognition. Germany: Springer.
van Eemeren, F. H. , Garssen B., & Krabbe, E.C.W. (2014). Handbook of Argumentation Theory, Berlin: Springer Verlag.
Voss, Chris (2016) Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. USA: Harper Press.
Vallverdú, J. & Müller, V. (2018). Blended Cognition. Germany: Springer.
van Eemeren, F. H. , Garssen B., & Krabbe, E.C.W. (2014). Handbook of Argumentation Theory, Berlin: Springer Verlag.
Voss, Chris (2016) Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. USA: Harper Press.
Walton, D. (2005). Fundamentals of critical argumentation. Cambridge University Press.

Prof. Dr. Jordi Vallverdú, B. Phil, B. Mus, M.Sci, Ph.D., is an esteemed ICREA Academia Research Professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). With an academic background that spans Philosophy, Music, and the History of Science, his interdisciplinary expertise focuses on cognitive and epistemic aspects within the Philosophy of Computing, Philosophy of Sciences, Cognition, Ethics, and Philosophy of AI.

Over the years, Dr. Vallverdú has enriched his research through international academic stays, including at the Glaxo-Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, Harvard University’s JFK School, and Kyoto University’s Nishidalab as part of the prestigious JSPS Grant. In 2019, he was awarded the Best Presentation Award at the Huawei Neuro-Inspired, Cognitive, and Unconventional Computing Workshop in Kazan, Russia. His current research is supported by ICREA, where he focuses on Deep Learning and Causality.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Vallverdú has authored or co-authored over 150 academic publications, including 19 books, 47 book chapters, and 106 peer-reviewed articles. His work has earned high visibility, with notable metrics across multiple academic platforms: 2204 citations, an h-index of 24, and i10-index of 55 on Google Scholar. His contributions are also highly regarded on Scopus and DLBP Compute Database.

As a dedicated educator, Dr. Vallverdú reaches a global audience through his three massive open online courses (MOOCs) on Coursera, with over 200,000 students from around the world. His impact on the fields of AI, cognitive science, and epistemology continues to shape both academic thought and practical advancements in artificial intelligence.

E-mail: jordi.vallverdu@uab.cat
Department of Philosophy

Critical Thinking

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