CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISE #2
Anthropology 110
Purpose: In order to function effectively as information consumers, students must be able to evaluate what they read and hear. Critical thinking requires an open mind, a broad background of experience and knowledge of other peoples, places, and things, knowledge of where and how to find information they may be lacking, and the ability to analyze and evaluate the accuracy of that information. The following exercise is designed to help students develop these skills.
Requirements:
Using the organization below, complete the following instructions in reference to the assigned reading (listed below):
#1: Identify the author’s thesis statement. (2 points)
#2: Identify three separate facts/evidences
that the author uses in an attempt to support the
thesis statement. Briefly discuss/summarize each evidence and its associated argument in
at least 5-6 sentences. This discussion should demonstrate your understanding of each evidence/argument, and should include specific statements concerning how/why each relates to the author’s thesis statement
(consider all 3 components!). Please note that this should not
include a critique of the thesis, which will be included in section #3. (4 points each/12 points total)
#3: Using the list of logical fallacies/faulty reasoning provided in class, examples of the following fallacies can be found in the article:
1.
Incorrect assumption of a cause/effect relationship
2.
Stereotyping
Identify an instance of each within the article, discussing each in a paragraph (e.g. 5-6 sentences).
Identify a third fallacy
within the article, discussing it in a paragraph (e.g. 5-6 sentences). These discussions should demonstrate your understanding of the problem. (4 points each/12 points total)
#4: Considering your response to #3, discuss the overall effectiveness of the article in supporting the author’s thesis statement
. Why was or wasn’t the author persuasive in your opinion? This discussion should present a measured opinion that takes into consideration all of the issues you have identified with the author’s arguments. (4 points)
Reading: Diamond, Jared (1987), ‘The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race’, Discover
, p. 64-66 [on Learning Suite].
Grading:
Assignments will be graded on their quality and their adherence to the requirements detailed above. This includes demonstrating your understanding of the material, that you have
