Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50546:[2025 Spring]Critical Thinking (PA) 2025 Spring Thu4 College　Of　Policy　Science SCHROEDER MARTIN 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AC348

Language

English and Japanese

Course Outline and Method

This course will introduce basic tools that enable students to apply critical thinking. It will first introduce basic methods to read, understand, and question claims and arguments which are base structures for political discourse. The latter half of the course will cover various issues that are relevant for applying critical thinking in the contemporary world.

Student Attainment Objectives

1. Understand different meanings of Critical Thinking.
2. Make rational arguments and respond to rational arguments of others.
3. Develop skill to critically evaluate sources of information.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information

Introductory video class

【＋R授業】詳細はmanaba+Rを参照

1

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Why should I study Critical Thinking?
3 Dimensions of Critical Thinking

2

Claims and Arguments

3

What are we arguing about?

4

What is a good argument?

5

It that true?

Evaluating sources of information I

6

Repairing arguments

7

Counterarguments

8

Mid-term Presentation

Pick a (politically controversial) topic and explain rivalling arguments

9

Avoiding bad arguments & Methods for structuring issues

5W2H Method

10

Reasoning and arguments in Science

11

Source Study

Evaluating sources of information II

12

Critical Thinking in the Social Media Age

How do novel social technologies work and how do they influence thinking?

13

Critical Thinking and Criticality

Translating critical thinking into critical action?

14

Final Presentation

Pick a (politically controversial) topic, explain rivalling arguments, and explain your own opinion on the subject

Class Format

対面授業14回、メディア授業0回

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are expected to prepare assigned readings to better understand the lectures contents. Also, reviewing lecture materials is expected.
Overall, preparation and review will require about 60-120min time per class.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Attendance and in-class participation 25%
Mid-term presentation 25%
Final presentation 50%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Critical Thinking (5th ed.) Epstein, R.L. Advanced Reasoning Forum 978-1938421327
Critical Thinking (11th ed.) Moore, B.N and Parker, R. McGraw-Hill Education 9780078119149

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

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URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/