Магистратура
2026/2027
Критическое мышление
Статус:
Курс обязательный (Управление исследованиями, разработками и инновациями в компании)
Кто читает:
Школа инноватики и предпринимательства
Где читается:
Школа инноватики и предпринимательства
Когда читается:
1-й курс, 3 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
28
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The discipline "Critical Thinking" is considered within the context of an interdisciplinary study of cognition, encompassing cognitive processes and the mechanisms for forming judgments and making decisions. In this framework, Critical Thinking acts as an applied field aimed at developing the ability to consciously analyze information, form well-founded judgments, and make balanced decisions. The course's relevance stems from the need to navigate conditions of information overload, critically evaluate data and their sources, distinguish facts from opinions and interpretations, identify logical fallacies, recognize rhetorical manipulations and cognitive biases, as well as formulate clear, logically consistent, and substantiated statements in academic and professional environments.
The course is taught in English and combines the fundamentals of logic, argumentation theory, cognitive science, and linguistic analysis. The curriculum covers types of utterances and reasoning, basic elements and structures of arguments, criteria for their logical validity and soundness, principles for evaluating evidence and information sources, argumentative schemes, rhetorical methods of persuasion, as well as formal and informal logical fallacies. Special attention is paid to the interconnection between language and thought, and how the choice of linguistic means and ways of presenting information affects the perception and persuasiveness of argumentation.
The methodological basis of the course consists of problem-oriented, activity-based, and communicative approaches, presupposing the active application of studied concepts when solving analytical and communicative tasks. The main teaching methods include analyzing authentic English-language academic, professional, and media texts, case studies, guided discussions and debates, peer review, reconstruction of reasoning, and written analysis of argumentation.
The course has a pronounced practical orientation and is structured on the principle of gradual task complexity. During the training, students complete three comprehensive analytical papers covering the main content blocks of the discipline, as well as in-class assignments for the analysis and reconstruction of argumentation. The final practical outcome is an independent written paper in English in the format of an "Argument Analysis Task", in which the student identifies the structure of an argument, evaluates its evidential base and sources, detects logical fallacies and implicit assumptions, and suggests ways to improve the reasoning.
Prerequisites
Mastering the discipline does not require prior special training in logic or argumentation theory. For successful completion of the course, a student possesses basic skills in information analysis, academic reading and written communication, as well as English proficiency at a level sufficient for working with study materials and participating in discussions.
Post-requisites
The knowledge and skills acquired by the student are applied in the subsequent study of the disciplines "Tech Startup", "Leadership, Communication, and Personal Effectiveness", and "Strategy of an Innovative Company", as well as in research seminars "Contemporary Problems of Innovation Studies" and "Research Work in Master's Programs". The mastered methods of critical analysis are used for evaluating business ideas and management decisions, analyzing research materials, preparing written assignments, conducting professional discussions, and providing reasoned defense of projects.
Learning Objectives
- The main goal of the discipline is to develop in students a system of knowledge and practical skills in critical thinking necessary for analyzing, evaluating, and independently constructing argumentation. Objectives of the discipline: - To form a conceptual framework necessary for analyzing various types of utterances and reasoning. - To introduce students to the basic elements and structures of an argument, the Toulmin model, and fundamental argumentative schemes. - To develop skills in assessing the logical validity and soundness of an argument, as well as the quality of evidence and information sources. - To cultivate the ability to identify logical fallacies, rhetorical devices, and methods of verbal influence. - To develop skills in reconstructing insufficiently substantiated reasoning, building one's own argumentation, and presenting it in English.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Distinguishes facts, opinions, beliefs, and interpretations; identifies linguistic markers of objectivity and subjectivity in utterances.
- Distinguishes between an issue, a claim, an argument, and an explanation; identifies the thesis, premises, conclusion, and hidden assumptions in oral and written statements.
- Distinguishes the main types of reasoning; analyzes the structure of an argument and presents it using the Toulmin model and an argument map.
- Evaluates the clarity, logical correctness, and soundness of an argument; identifies flaws in reasoning and transforms it into a logically consistent form.
- Evaluates the relevance, sufficiency, and credibility of evidence and sources; applies Walton's argumentation schemes and critical questions to analyze arguments.
- Distinguishes the main rhetorical methods of persuasion; analyzes their role and appropriateness considering the purpose, audience, and communicative situation; applies them when constructing one's own argumentation.
- Identifies and classifies formal and informal logical fallacies; conducts a comprehensive analysis and reconstruction of flawed argumentation.
Course Contents
- Topic 1. Facts, Opinions, and Beliefs: Ways of Presenting Information
- Topic 2. Basic Elements of Argumentation. Argument and Explanation.
- Topic 3. Types of Reasoning, Argument Structure, and the Toulmin Model of Argumentation.
- Topic 4. Criteria for Evaluating Argument Quality.
- Topic 5. Evidence, Information Sources, and Walton's Argumentation Schemes.
- Topic 6. Rhetorical Methods of Persuasion in Argumentation.
- Topic 7. Formal and Informal Logical Fallacies.
Assessment Elements
- HomeworkNumber of homework assignments: 3. Each homework assignment combines the material from two topics and must be completed in English.
- In-class Participation
- Final Exam: Argument Analysis Task
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 3rd module0.4 * In-class Participation + 0.2 * Homework + 0.4 * Final Exam: Argument Analysis Task
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- The power of critical thinking : effective reasoning about ordinary and extraordinary claims, Vaughn, L., 2005
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Argumentation schemes, Walton, D., 2008
- Cognitive illusions : a handbook on fallacies and biases in thinking, judgement and memory, , 2006