PHIL 1565 - Critical Thinking
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 03, CRN 41241,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Paul Capezzuto
Email: pcapezzuto@ysu.edu
Course Description
1565. Critical Thinking. An examination of the logical skills needed for critical thinking in practical situations. Topics include procedures and guidelines for identifying and evaluating arguments, recognizing and eliminating informal fallacies, and writing and critiquing argumentative essays. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Critical Thinking: Connsider the Verdict |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Introduction | Voir dire | 8/25 |
| 8/31 | Important terms | Statements, premises, conclusions | 9/2 |
| 9/7 | What's the Question | Analyzing conclusions | 9/8 |
| 9/14 | Relevant and Irrelevant Reasons | What are relevant and irrelevant reasons | 9/15 |
| 9/21 | Burden of Proof | What is the burden of proof | 9/22 |
| 9/28 | Ad Hominem arguments | What are the various ad hominem arguments | 9/29 |
| 10/5 | Appeal to Authority | What is a legitimate appeal to authority | 10/6 |
| 10/12 | Analyzing arguments | What is the structure of arguments | 10/13 |
| 10/19 | Strawman fallacy | What is a strawman fallacy | 10/20 |
| 10/26 | Distinctive arguments | What are dilemma, slippery slope and golden mean | 10/29 |
| 11/2 | Language and its pitfalls | Language and arguments | 11/3 |
| 11/9 | Begging the Question | What is begging the question | 11/10 |
| 11/16 | Scientific | Scientific arguments | 11/17 |
| 11/23 | Arguments by analogy | What are arguments by analogy | 11/24 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.