This course is designed for Year 1 students with an advanced level of English language proficiency (HKDSE level 5* or above or its equivalence). The aim of this course is to facilitate their development of analytical and critical reasoning skills through the study of inductive reasoning. In particular, this course will focus on the acquisition of skills necessary for the analysis and evaluation of inductive arguments in the English language. Topics that will be included in the course include: identifying assumptions, standardizing and diagramming arguments in the English language, fallacies of irrelevance, inductive reasoning, and inductive fallacies.

Samples of argumentation will be taken from both text-based sources (e.g. op-eds, articles, essays, etc.) and multimedia sources (e.g. movie clips, video recordings, advertisements, etc.) composed in the English language, to enhance students’ awareness of and appreciation for argumentation techniques that are variously employed in both academic and non-academic settings.

As this is a Level 1 course requiring frequent intensive engagements with source materials, the importance of academic integrity and effective source-use skills will also be discussed.

Advisory: this course assumes the attainment of an advanced level of English language proficiency, as demonstrated by a grade of HKDSE level 5* or above or its equivalence.

Exclusion course(s): ELTU1001 and ELTU1002