Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

  
Degree programme:Bachelor Mechatronics Part-time
Type of degree:FH Bachelor“s Degree Programme
 Part-time
 Winter Semester 2025
  

Course unit titleAcademic Thinking and Writing
Course unit code024506057004
Language of instructionEnglish
Type of course unit (compulsory, optional)Compulsory
Semester when the course unit is deliveredWinter Semester 2025
Teaching hours per week2
Year of study2025
Level of course unit (e.g. first, second or third cycle)First Cycle (Bachelor)
Number of ECTS credits allocated3
Name of lecturer(s)Florian RIEDER


Prerequisites and co-requisites

Good technical English.

Course content
  • Practical introduction to the principles of logical reasoning: examples of both reasoning about facts and reasoning about practical decisions are defined, discussed and practiced.
  • Ways and means of recognizing and avoiding common argumentation errors and various linguistic abuses are demonstrated.
  • Application of the techniques learned to scientific papers.
Learning outcomes

Students will be able to

  • apply techniques and strategies to think creatively and critically in both academic and professional environments.
  • recognize weaknesses and strengths of arguments and apply this in their own work.
  • find logical and coherent solutions to specific problems and develop well-founded arguments.
  • apply logically consistent lines of argument both orally and in writing.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Seminars and practical exercises.

Assessment methods and criteria

Active participation and wirtten final exam.

Comment

none

Recommended or required reading
  • Bean, J. C. (2011). Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom, 2nd Edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Bowell, T. & Kemp, G.(2014). Critical Thinking. A Concise Guide. Taylor and Francis: Routledge.
  • Hacking, I. (2002). An Introduction to Probability and Inductive Logic. University Press: Cambridge.
  • Holowchak, M. (2011). Critical Reasoning and Philosophy: A Concise Guide to Reading, Evaluating, and Writing Philosophical Works. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers: Rider.
  • Kurfiss, G. J. (1988). Critical Thinking: Theory, Research, Practice, and Possibilities: ASHE-ERIC/Higher Education Research Report, Volume 17, Number 2, 1988 (2nd Printing).
  • Priest, G. (2000). Logic: A Very Short Introduction. University Press: Oxford.
  • Talbit, M. (2014). Critical Reasoning: A Romp Through the Foothills of Logic for Complete Beginners. University Press: Oxford.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face, distance learning)

Face to face seminars with compulsory attendance.

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