3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

Applied critical thinking is the foundation of intelligence analysis and logic is the foundation for applied critical thinking. Logic studies the methods and principles of correct reasoning and argumentation, and the language involved in such reasoning. Bad reasoning is at the root of most mistakes and failures in intelligence analysis. Good reasoning is a preventative and a remedy for such mistakes and failures. Thus, mastery of logic is a valuable first step in the study and practice of intelligence analysis. To that end, students in this course learn the parts and types of arguments, good vs. bad arguments, rules for making such distinctions, and methods for making such distinctions. This course also serves as a prerequisite for other courses in the Masters in Intelligence Analysis, especially The Ethics of Belief, Art and Science of Decision Making, and Structured Analytic Techniques.