Critical thinking is the practice of effective thinking, both logical and evaluative. It is the process by which we develop and support our beliefs, and evaluate the strength of arguments made by others in real-life situations. This course will focus on applying strategies for understanding current issues, belief systems, and ethical positions. Students will analyze media, the current political environment, and their own beliefs and moral inclinations. The primary objectives of this course are to impart a functional ability to reason well, to improve analytical skills and instincts and to employ methods of building strong arguments for reasoned decision-making.

This course is an introduction to the problems of moral choice, the meaning of value, and the process of making a value judgment. Application of the ethical theory to moral issues and the role action versus theorizing is discussed.