Introduction to critical thinking: what is critical thinking? What are the 5 pillars? Can it really be taught?
Introduction to critical reading
Aristotelian appeals: logos, ethos & pathos
What is rhetoric? What is the rhetorical situation?
Persuasion/argumentation:
- What is argumentation?
- Claims, warrants, premises and conclusions
- Identifying premises & conclusions with exercises
50 fallacies are included including ad hominem, red herring, straw man, amphiboly, appeal to tradition etc. 3 sessions are dedicated to explaining the fallacies & one session is devoted to doing exercises.
One class is dedicated to comparative religion and herstory
Moral dilemmas are introduced and worked through in class
Media ethics are discussed with examples from newspapers/tv. We discuss how the media in Pakistan often violates their own ethical guidelines.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is read and discussed. In this session, we discuss the nature of “truth”.
Distinguishing reliable sources from unreliable “noise” is also taught.
The course concludes with a presentation (argument speech) by the participants.
Lot of things to be described Really creatical
Comment by mabbaskhan — April 21, 2012 @ 7:38 pm |
Hi Nabiha. I stumbled upon your blog a few years ago, and after a bit of a hiatus, re-stumbled upon it a few days ago. Fantastic posts you have here! Your writing deals with very important ideas, and this post in particular is arresting for me because I’ve recently been exposed to theories of anti-oppressive and other radical strains in education. I’ve been wondering for while now, and this post reopens that question for me, about how one could go about introducing change in our education system. Where would it start, for one? I’d be interested in hearing your opinion on how (and what kind of) systemic change could be introduced, since your situation as someone teaching within that system must give you great insight.
Again, excellent blog! There are a few other posts I really liked- I’ll get to commenting on them in time.
Comment by Tin Tin — June 15, 2012 @ 1:14 pm |
Thank you. I will reply to your comment in a few days. A friend passed away suddenly and I’m a bit numb with grief and unable to think straight.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — June 18, 2012 @ 3:54 pm |
Hi
I came across your posts thru a mutual friend’s thread. I ve been following them since then. In one of posts you ve recommended ” The Magic of Reality”. The book questions the basis of faith of major religions and is mainly concerned with Rationality. I believe it negates Divinity and a Bigger Plan. If this is what a person believes in.
Than by all means it should be read by his kins. If. there is even the slightest trace of triditional belief in their thinking than reading it would be a waste of time.
Comment by Aimal Khan — June 22, 2012 @ 12:34 am |
Haven’t finished it yet but it seems to advocate that kids follow a scientific, rational viewpoint and challenge myths that are spoonfed them as facts.
btw not a fan of militant atheism. Would never advocate a militant atheist book for kids. It’s as bad as any other indoctrination IMO.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — June 22, 2012 @ 2:35 pm |