Argumentation II

Academic year 2011-12

Date last modified

23-4-2012 1:29

Period

Period 2

Startdate:

31-Oct-11

Enddate:

23-Dec-11

Code

SKI3002

ECTS credits

2.5

Organisational unit

University College Maastricht

Coordinator

T.J. Dekker

Description

In this sequel to SKI2049 Argumentation I, we will zoom in on the structure of arguments. What does it take to build a valid argument? What is the underlying structure of an argument, in virtue of which it is valid. How can we use this to make better arguments? In a further elaboration on issues discussed in SKI2049 we willlook at syllogistic structure and apply a more sophisticated and more formal method for establishing argument validity, the Toulmin model. This model will be applied to actual arguments from various fields, most notably academe (including an analysis of papers students have written themselves): how do I feel about my own ‘best’ paper when I analyze it more closely? What would be ways to improve the argument I am trying to make? What is right or wrong about grand theories like the ones of Huntington and Fukuyama? During the second part of the Skills we will take the step to a strictly formal approach to argument analysis and explore basic sentential logic, which allows us to establish the validity of arguments on the basis of a simple set of rules and procedures.

Goals

• To delve into the structural features of argumentation, by looking at syllogisms and the Toulmin model of argumentation. • To introduce students to formal ways of testing the validity of arguments.

Instruction language

Prerequisites

SKI2049 Argumentation I.

Recommended literature

Teaching methods

PBL
PRESENTATION(S)
LECTURE(S)
ASSIGNMENT(S)
PAPER(S)

Assessment methods

FINAL PAPER
ATTENDANCE
PARTICIPATION
WRITTEN EXAM
ORAL EXAM
TAKE HOME EXAM

Key words