Course title
4M5520001
Seminar on Critical Thinking

 SAKURAGI Shin
Purpose of class
While "critical thinking" is a term used in various contexts, this course focuses specifically on logical reasoning. By mastering the foundations of formal logic and gaining an overview of informal logic, students aim to develop the ability to critically evaluate arguments and construct logical, persuasive ones.
Course content
This course aims to help students acquire logical thinking methods and the ability to critically evaluate arguments.
Note: In-person attendance and the submission (or presentation) of weekly assignments are, in principle, mandatory.
Goals and objectives
  1. To be able to think logically
  2. To be able to critically examine others' opinions
  3. To be able to construct reasonable argument and present it persuasively
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

 Presentation Final Total.
1. 25% 20% 45%
2. 15% 15%
3. 25% 15% 40%
Total. 50% 50% -
Language
Japanese
Class schedule

 Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1． What is "Critical Thinking"? Read the course syllabus 10minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
2． Logical argument 1 (strict argument) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
3． Logical argument 2 (concepts and definitions) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
4． Formal logic 1 (truth table) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
5． Formal logic 2 (natural deduction of propositional logic) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
6． Formal logic 3 (predicate logic) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
7． Formal logic 4 (First order natural deduction of predicate logic) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
8． Fallacy 1 (relevance) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
Preparing the presentation 90minutes
9． Fallacy 2 (ambiguity) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
preparing the presentation 90minutes
10． Fallacy 3 (empty reasoning) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
preparing the presentation 90minutes
11． Fallacy 4 (other types) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
preparing the presentation 90minutes
12． Argumentative methods (induction, generalization and exemplification) Homework 90minutes
reviewing lecture notes 60minutes
preparing the presentation 90minutes
13． Presentation preparing the presentation 240minutes
14． Final (in-person)
commentary 		preparing the final 240minutes
Total. - - 2650minutes
Evaluation method and criteria
Final 50%
Presentation 50%
Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.
ways of feedback specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in the class
Textbooks and reference materials
N/A
Prerequisites
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
    Regionally-oriented
    Non-regionally-oriented course
    Development of social and professional independence
    • Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
    Active-learning course
    About half of the classes are interactive
    Course by professor with work experience
    Work experience Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
    N/A N/A
    Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals
    • 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
    Last modified : Sat Mar 14 13:59:25 JST 2026