Logic and Critical Thinking Course Syllabus

   សាកលវិទ្យាល័យបញ្ញាសាស្ត្រកម្ពុជា

​​​​​​​​​​​                 Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia

Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Humanities

COURSE SYLLABUS

1.    Course Title :  Logic and Critical Thinking (PHIL110) 
2.  Credit:  3 credits (48 contact hours) 
3.   Instructor's Name:  Ven. But Buntenh 
4.   Telephone:  016666042/0978917600/010277785 
5.   E-mail address:  butbuntenh@puc.edu.kh 
6.   Course Description: The course will introduce the fundamental concepts of logic and critical thinking skills to students and to effectively and creatively solve problem and make sound decisions. This course will also enhance the students’ ability in thinking through reasoning methods. Students will develop both mentally and intellectually in the course, and they have to critically study the intellectual standards and elements of critical thinking in order to have higher capacity to recognize and analyze arguments. The course will also guide the students to not only study theoretical framework but also to practical aspects in various social dimensions. Students will be expected to expand their knowledge and understanding to experience the actual world and also to analyze the actual social phenomenon within the context of modernized and industrialized world.
7.   Course Objectives :  By the completion of the course, students will be able to:

·         Develop critical thinking skills, identifying inconsistencies, prejudices and assessing the validity of contents as applied to written texts.

·         Think critically and creatively

·         Explain fundamental methods of reasoning and evaluating an arguments

·         Know how to think meaningfully and creatively through arguments.

·         Discuss and describe various concepts of critical thinking to evaluate an arguments

·         Reflect and integrate critical thinking skills into work place and daily live.

    8. Course Outline:

Sessions	Topics	Hours	Methods
1	Introductory session	1:30	Discussions
2-4	Introduction to critical thinking, its benefits, and its intellectual standards	4:30	Lectures & discussions
5-6	Recognizing arguments	3:00	Lectures & discussions
7-8	Basic logical concepts	3:00	Lectures and Q&A
9-11	Logical fallacies I	4:30	Lectures and Q&A
12-14	Logical fallacies II	4:30	Lectures & discussions
15	Mid-term Exam	1:30
16-18	Analyzing arguments	4:30	Lectures & discussions
19-21	Evaluating arguments	4:30	Lectures & discussions
22-23	Submit assignment/Research paper	3:00	Group presentations
24-25	Inductive and Deductive reasoning	3:00	Lectures & discussions
26-28	Finding, evaluating, and using sources	4:30	Lectures & discussions
29-31	Thinking critically about the media	4:30	Lectures & discussions
32	Final Exam	1:30

          9.   Teaching Methods:

·         Lectures

·          Interpreting texts

·         Reading textbook and other recommended study material

·         Group discussion

·         Class presentation

  

            10.  Assessment Methods:

Class participation (presentation and in class exercises and attendance:  20%

Mid-term Exam:  20%

Writing topic proposal and assignment:  20%

Final Examination/Field Trip Study:  40%

Important Notices: There is a choice for students to choose either they opt for writing final exam or opt for field trip study both are applicable but need to choose just one. Writing final exam, students are asked to write four questions and each question will score ten marks with two and half pages length of each question. Those who opt for field trip study they are asked to conduct group research and final with their group report. The score will depend on the amount of works and their quality in writing the report but 40% marks are reserved.

         11. Class Policies:

·         Cheating:  Attempts by students to communicate during the examinations or to copy answers from prepared materials is considered cheating. Students who cheat will have 20% deducted from their test score.

·         Tardiness: Tardiness disrupts the learning process. It is disrespectful to come to class late repeatedly. Your prompt attendance of all classes is also importance for you to take notes of the lectures.

·         Absenteeism:  Students are expected to promptly and responsibly attend classes. In case a student is absent for one session, he or she needs to verbally inform the instructor in advance.  If the absence is for three or more sessions, he or she needs to request permission from the instructor in writing, with supporting documentation, at least one day in advance.  Attendance at exams is mandatory.

·         As stated in the Information Booklet for Faculty and Staff (APO), any student who misses 7.5 class hours without permission will have 15% deducted from his or her score. Any student who misses 15 hours without permission will have 30% deducted from his or her score.  Any student who misses more than 15 hours without permission will be automatically withdrawn from the class. 
  12.  Additional class rules:

·         Mobile phone is requested to either switch off or put on silent mode

·         Students are not allowed to pick the phone up while the class is in session

·         Students who come 15 minutes late are considered as absent in the running session

·         Talking in the class:  Talking in the class, while class in session, is disrespectful and annoying. Students are advised to refrain from talking to each other while class is in session.

     13. Textbooks/References:  

Bassham, G., et al. (2008). Critical Thinking: A Student’s Introduction. New York: McGraw Hill.

Rottenberg, A., & Winchell, D. (2000). The Structure of Argument. New York: Bedford/ St. Martin’s.

Vesterman, W. (2000). Reading and Writing Short Arguments. California: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Additional Information:  The course meets two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday, it is a session per day (three hours per week), and it runs for four months term. The term starts from Tuesday, December 4, 2012 to Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Mid-term exam will be conducted by AEO on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Two weeks after Mid-term exam students are asked to submit their assignment (Tuesday, February 26, 2013) and presentation two day after the submission of their assignment (Thursday, February 28, 2013. Instructor reserves full rights to change if it needs.