Course 2: Critical reasoning and logic

Keywords: Logic, critical reasoning, arguments, structure of texts and presentations, fallacies, debate

Introduction to the course topics:

The course introduces central concepts of logic and argumentation theory: premises and conclusions of arguments, validity and soundness of arguments, deductive vs. inductive reasoning, common types of inferences and fallacies. The idea of the course is to use these concepts as a toolbox which provides useful techniques for everyday scientific work. The participants learn how to reconstruct arguments from scientific texts, how to give well-structured and logically valid arguments, and how to avoid misunderstandings. 

Course aims:

• Stating arguments clearly, precisely and overall more convincingly
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses in arguments
• mproving analytical thinking

Technical requirements: none for participants, teacher will require a projector and either flipcharts or a board (flipcharts is fine if no board is available).

Teaching Methods: The course is interactive throughout. We will have various exercises to practice freshly learned concepts. There is a mix of group and individual exercises. The participants will get the opportunity to discuss their own projects.

Participation requirements: none.

Literature: none.

Other information, notes: none.

Information about the trainer:

Kai Hüwelmeyer studied physics and philosophy in Tübingen, Manchester and Frankfurt. He has been giving courses on critical reasoning and logic for several years and has academic as well as practical experience with the topic.