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Lahore University of Management Sciences
MGMT 252 – Logic and Critical Thinking
Spring Semester 2018
Instructor Dr. Ayesha Masood
Room No. 404
Office Hours TBA
Email Ayesha.masood@lums.edu.pk
Telephone (042) 35608000 Ext: 8040
Secretary/TA M.Waqas
TA Office Hours TBA
Course URL (if any) suraj.lums.edu.pk/~ro/
COURSE BASICS
Credit Hours 3
Lecture(s) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week 2 Duration 1hr 15min
Recitation/Lab (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week Duration
Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week Duration
COURSE DISTRIBUTION
Core Core
Elective NA
Open for Student Category
Close for Student Category
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Despite the fact that thinking is a natural activity, much of our thinking is confounded by distortions, biases and prejudices, and in
many instances, is 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 systemic cultivation. This course provides an
introduction to the tools and techniques of logic and critical thinking, and their systemic application to various arenas of life. It will
begin with an appreciation of the context, which includes discussion of usage of language and some issues of epistemology.
Thereafter, identification of pitfalls or logical fallacies will form main part of the course. Finally, through the application of a strategy
for understanding, analyzing and evaluating arguments, it will 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 over answers,
and seek understanding over memorization.
Lahore University of Management Sciences
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After taking this course, students should be able to:
Understand the basic tools and rules involved in critical thinking
Demonstrate comprehension of many ways in which thinking can go wrong and what to do to avoid this;
Apply a strategy to analyze and evaluate arguments
Become independent, self‐directed thinkers and learners
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 teams.
Goal 6 – Understanding Organizational Ecosystems
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they understand economic, political, regulatory, legal and social
environment of organizations.
Major Specific Learning Goals & Objectives
Goal 7 (a) – Discipline Specific Knowledge and Understanding
Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge of key business disciplines and how they interact with ethical
issues including their application in real world situations.
Goal 7 (b) – Understanding the “science” behind the decision‐making process (for MGS Majors) Objective:
Students will demonstrate ability to analyze business problems and design and apply appropriate decision‐
support tools to make logical choices, interpret results and make meaningful recommendations to support the
decision‐makers.
Indicate below how the course learning objectives specifically relate to any program learning goals and objectives.
PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES COURSE ASSESSMENT ITEM
Speaking and writing skills are honed
through articulation of well formulated Class participation, Assignments, Mid‐
Goal 1 –Effective Written and Oral ideas during class discussion, and in term, Final
Communication assignments and exams
Develop an in‐depth understanding of
the application of the reasoning process
Quiz, Assignment, Mid‐term, Final
Goal 2 –Ethical Understanding and to various issues (analyzing and
Reasoning evaluating arguments)
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In‐depth understanding of the
application of the reasoning process to Class participation, Quiz, Assignments,
Goal 3 – Analytical Thinking and Problem‐ various issues (analyzing and evaluating Mid‐term, Final
Solving Skills arguments)
Goal 4‐Application of Information
Technology
Resolve differences of opinion while
Goal 5 – Teamwork in Diverse and working in teams by collaboratively Assignments
Multicultural Environments thinking through problems
Goal 6 – Understanding Organizational
Ecosystems
Understand how and what issues may
Goal 7 (a) – Discipline Specific Knowledge arise in business which require critical Quiz, Assignment, Mid‐term
and Understanding thinking
Understand the use of logic and the
Goal 7 (b) – Understanding the “science” process of critical thinking essential for Quiz, Assignment, Mid‐term
behind the decision‐making process effective decision‐making
GRADING BREAKUP AND POLICY
Class participation (20%): This course is intended to allow you to develop the skills of logical and critical thinking to analyze various
arguments and make informed decisions as the need arises in business. Many of these challenges will involve justifying your
position to those who disagree with you and making logical and ethical choices. To this end, the course emphasizes articulating
reasoned arguments. Participation is expected and required in this class. Although good participation involves good listening,
listening alone does not constitute satisfactory participation. Both quality and quantity are considered. Participation involves
making valuable contributions to class discussions through thoughtful comments or questions. Consider participation an
evaluation of how much you contribute to moving class discussions forward.
Please reach the class on‐time. Students, who arrive 5 minutes after the start of the class, will not be awarded CP for that session.
A maximum of 3 absences are allowed during the course for justifiable reasons. If you can’t attend a class, please inform me before
the class.
Quizzes (12%): Three unannounced quizzes will be given during the semester. Each quiz will be 4% of the course grade.
Mid‐term exam (20%): Open ended and/or MCQs based mid‐term exam will be conducted. It will include content covered in Modules
1 and 2.
Final Exam (20%): Open ended and/or MCQs based mid‐term exam will be conducted. It will include content covered in Modules 3
and 4.
Assignments (24%): There are two required assignments in the class, each weighted 12% of the course grade.
Assignment 1: It is an individual assignment. You will be assigned an argumentative research article published in a scholarly
journal. You will need to read through the paper, analyze and summarize/paraphrase its main argument/s, critically analyze the
evidence presented in support of the argument. You would also need to state whether you agree with the author or not, and in
either case, support your position with logical reasoning or countervailing evidence.
Assignment 2: This is a group assignment. You will be divided in 15 groups of 4 students each. Each group will be sub‐divided in
For and Against teams (of 2 students each). You will be debating each other on a pre‐assigned topic.
Each team will have 3 minutes for an opening argument and 3 minutes for rebuttal.
The rest of the class will act as jury, voting for the winning side, as well as judging their presentation on the logical soundness.
Your grade for the presentation will be based on of the attached "Audience Evaluation Form," to be filled out by your peers at
the end of your presentation. You will not receive your group grades until all groups have presented (at the end of the
semester).
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EXAMINATION DETAIL
Midterm Exam Yes/No: Yes
Duration: 2 hours
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications: 25%
Final Exam Yes/No: Yes
Duration: 2 hours
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications: 25%
COURSE OVERVIEW