Unit Outline

This unit teaches the fundamentals of good thinking. You will learn how to construct, analyse, and critically evaluate arguments; how to reason logically and well; how to identify and avoid common pitfalls of statistical reasoning in scientific and social contexts; and how to communicate your thoughts clearly and effectively. You will learn practical techniques for the evaluation of reasoning, and apply these techniques with fellow students to explore topics and arguments from science, politics, philosophy, and the popular media. The skills you acquire in this unit will be invaluable, not just across academic disciplines, but more broadly for leading a life enriched by good thinking.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain the theory behind current approaches to reasoning well.
2.	Analyse and map the structure of reasoning in both academic and everyday contexts.
3.	Evaluate many different types of reasoning, including deductive, inductive, and statistical reasoning.
4.	Communicate your own reasoning clearly and effectively.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HAA002 or XBR105

Alterations as a result of student feedback

As a of result student feedback, we have re-recorded a number of lectures, and have also changed quizzes to weekly self-evaluation exercises. Some of the content of the online textbook has been rewritten.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Portfolio	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Essay	Week 7	20 %	LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Take Home Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Portfolio

Task Description:

See the MyLO site for assessment task details

Parts of the portfolio will be due in weeks 4, 10, 13, and 14.

Task Length:

250-500 words for each commentary

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Recognise various argument types and techniques in everyday contexts.	LO2, LO4
2	Apply appropriate tools that have been developed in the unit.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Essay

Task Description:

See the MyLO site for assessment task details

Task Length:

700-800 words

Due Date:

Week 7 (15/Apr/2024)

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Are the conclusion(s) and premises clearly identified?	LO2, LO4
2	Is the structure of the argument and any subarguments clear?	LO2, LO4
3	Are objections, counter considerations and counter arguments easily identifiable?	LO2, LO4
4	Are there signposts along the way to help the reader figure out the role of a given sentence or paragraph in the overall argument?	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Take Home Exam

Task Description:

See the MyLO site for assessment task details

Task Length:

2 Weeks

Due Date:

Exam Period (17/Jun/2024)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the theory behind current approaches to reasoning well.	LO1
2	Analyse and map the structure of reasoning in both academic and everyday contexts.	LO2
3	Evaluate many different types of reasoning, including deductive, inductive, and statistical reasoning.	LO3
4	Communicate your own reasoning clearly and effectively.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.