Lahore University of Management Sciences

MGMT 252 Logic & Critical Thinking

Spring Semester 2015
Instructor
Room No.
Office Hours
Email
Telephone
Secretary/TA
TA Office Hours
Course URL (if any)

Razi Allah Lone

SDSB 4-40
TBA
razi.lone@lums.edu.pk
111-115-867 Ext: 5014
Malik Imran Abbas/TBA
TBA
Suraj.lums.edu.pk

COURSE BASICS
Credit Hours
Lecture(s)
Recitation/Lab (per week)
Tutorial (per week)

3
Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week
Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week
Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week

2
N/A
N/A

Duration
Duration
Duration

1h 15 m

COURSE DISTRIBUTION
Core
Elective
Open for Student Category
Close for Student Category

Core

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Despite the fact that thinking is a natural activity, much of our thinking is confounded by distortions, biases and prejudices, and is
in many instances uninformed and partial. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the quality of our life depends in crucial
ways on the quality of our thinking. Excellence in thought, however, requires systematic cultivation. This course provides an
introduction to the tools and techniques of logic and critical thinking, and their systematic application in various arenas of life. It
will begin with an appreciation of the context, which includes discussions of the usage of language and some issues of
epistemology. Thereafter, identification of pitfalls or logical fallacies will form part of the course. Finally, through the application of
a strategy for understanding, analyzing, and evaluating arguments, it hopes to bring to life the process of thinking and the art of
argumentation.

COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)

None

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

To enable students to apply the general principles of logic that make patterns of argument valid or invalid
To develop an in-depth understanding of the concept and process of critical thinking
To strengthen students ability to take ownership of content by actively thinking it through, value questions not just
answers, and seek understanding over memorization

Lahore University of Management Sciences

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS & OBJECTIVES

General Learning Goals & Objectives

Goal 1 Effective Written and Oral Communication
Objective: Students will demonstrate effective writing and oral communication skills
Goal 2 Ethical Understanding and Reasoning
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to identify and address ethical issues in an organizational
context.
Goal 3 Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to identify key problems and generate viable solutions.
Goal 4 Application of Information Technology
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to use current technologies in business and management
context.
Goal 5 Teamwork in Diverse and Multicultural Environments
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to work effectively in diverse environments.
Goal 6 Understanding Organizational Ecosystems
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they have an understanding of Economic, Political, Regulatory, Legal,
Technological, and Social environment of organizations.
Major Specific Learning Goals & Objectives
Goal 7 (a) Program Specific Knowledge and Understanding
Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge of key business disciplines and how they interact including
application to real world situations.
Goal 7 (b) Understanding the science behind the decision-making process (for MGS Majors)
Objective: Students will demonstrate ability to analyze a business problem, design and apply appropriate
decision-support tools, interpret results and make meaningful recommendations to support the decision-maker

PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND

OBJECTIVES

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

COURSE ASSESSMENT ITEM

Goal 1 Effective Written and Oral

Communication

Speaking and writing skills are honed

through articulation of well-formulated
ideas during class discussion, and in
assignments and exams
An in-depth understanding of the
application of the reasoning process to
various issues, which may include ethical
issues
An in-depth understanding of the
application of the reasoning process to
various issues (analyzing and evaluating
arguments)

Class Participation, Assignment,

Midterm, Final

Goal 2 Ethical Understanding and

Reasoning
Goal 3 Analytical Thinking and Problem
Solving Skills

Quiz, Assignment, Midterm, Final

Class Participation, Quiz, Assignment,

Midterm, Final

Goal 4 Application of Information

Technology
Goal 5 Teamwork in Diverse and
Multicultural Environments
Goal 6 Understanding Organizational
Ecosystems
Goal 7 (a) Program Specific Knowledge
and Understanding

Resolve differences of opinion while

working in teams by collaboratively
thinking about problems

Assignment

Understand how and what issues may

arise in business, which require critical
thinking

Quiz, Assignment, Midterm, Final

Lahore University of Management Sciences

Goal 7 (b) Understanding the science

behind the decision-making process

Understand the use of logic and the

process of critical thinking essential for
effective decision-making

Quiz, Assignment, Midterm, Final

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After taking this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the basic tools and rules involved in Critical Thinking
2. Demonstrate comprehension of the many ways in which thinking can go wrong and what to do to avoid
them
3. Apply a strategy to analyze and evaluate arguments
4. Become independent, self-directed thinkers and learners

GRADING BREAKUP AND POLICY

Attendance: 3%
You can have up to 2 absences throughout the course without losing any attendance points.
Coming late to the class (after 5 minutes) or being away from the class for more than 10 minutes gets you marked Late for
the session. Two Late markings equal one Absent marking.
Please switch off your mobile phones before entering the class. Anyone found using a mobile phone will be marked absent
for that class.
Class Participation: 7%
CP is graded between 0-4 points each session for each student; points are given primarily on qualitative basis.
Coming late to the class (after 5 minutes) causes you to lose 1 CP point for the session.
Quizzes: 20%
Quizzes will be fielded unannounced as reading spot checks.
Out of a total of five quizzes, one will be dropped. No make-up quizzes will be given.
Assignments: 15%
Midterm: 20%
Final: 35%

EXAMINATION DETAIL
Midterm
Exam

Final Exam

Yes/No: Yes
Combine Separate:
Duration: 75 minutes
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications:
Yes/No: Yes
Combine Separate:
Duration: 180 minutes
Exam Specifications:

COURSE OVERVIEW
WEEK/
SESSION/
MODULE
Week 1
Week 2

TOPICS

The Context
Introduction to Critical Thinking:
Critical Thinking Standards
Benefits of and Barriers to Critical Thinking
What is Truth and What Does It Mean to Know?

RECOMMENDED
READINGS

Chapter 1 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 3 (Ruggiero, 2012)

Lahore University of Management Sciences

Week 3

How Good is Your Opinion?

What is Evidence?

Week 4 & 5

Recognizing Arguments & Basic Logical Concepts:

What is and isnt an Argument?
Common Patterns of Deductive Reasoning
Common Patterns of Inductive Reasoning

Week 6

Language:
Finding the Right Words

Chapter 4 (Ruggiero, 20120)

Chapter 2 & 3 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 4 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Mid Term

Week 7 & 8

Week 9 & 10

Week 11

Week 12
Week 13

Week 14

The Pitfalls
The Basic Problem
Logical Fallacies:
Fallacies of Relevance
Fallacies of Insufficient Evidence
A Strategy
Analyzing and Evaluating Arguments:
Diagramming and Summarizing Arguments
When is an Argument a Good one?
How Good is the Evidence?
When is it Reasonable to Accept a Premise?
Inductive Reasoning:
Inductive Generalizations
Induction and Analogy
Induction and Causal Arguments
Finding, Evaluating and Using Sources:
Content
Author
Audience
Writing Argumentative Essays:
Writing a Successful Argument
Before you Write
Writing the First Draft
After the First Draft
Thinking Critically about the Media:
The Mass Media
The News Media

Chapter 5 & 6 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 7 & 8 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 11 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 12 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 13 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

Chapter 14 (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, Wallace, 2011)

TEXTBOOK(S)/SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS
Texts
Bassham, G., Irwin, W., Nardone, H., Wallace, J. Critical Thinking: A Students Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
Ruggiero, R, V. Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.