Critical Thinking

This course, which is required for all first-year students, will introduce the fundamentals of epistemology and the scientific method, as well as the tools needed to analyze controversies surrounding science and approaches presented as alternatives. The course will address the scientific investigation of phenomena considered paranormal, pseudosciences, pseudo-medicines, psychological abuses, cult-related alienation, and so on, in order to make students aware of our cognitive biases and the rhetorical manipulations that can exploit them to convince or deceive. The ultimate goal of this course is to ensure that everyone can make informed choices, knows how to research and evaluate information, and can protect themselves from techniques of influence and manipulation.

This course will be based on lectures and viewing various resources available online. Students will be required to complete the entire course on Moodle, which will then be assessed through a multiple-choice quiz.

- Understand the process of knowledge construction in various disciplines (hypotheses, experimental results, controversial findings, mathematical theorems, scientific facts, theories, paradigms)

- Understand the basics of the history of science and epistemology

- Be able to develop a logical argument using critical thinking (identifying limitations, cross-referencing with the literature, and defending a point of view)

- Know how to critically evaluate information (particularly information available online), prioritize information sources, and assess their reliability

Written exam (weighting 0.8) and ongoing assessment (weighting 0.2)

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 15

            TD: 0

            TP: 0

            Land: 0