In this course, students will philosophically examine and write about a diverse array of historical and contemporary human experiences, including but not limited to metaphysical assumptions of race, class, and gender, for example, which have implications for knowledge, ethics, aesthetics, justice, and existential meaning. Students will generate argumentative theses and refine essay length sustained complex arguments. Topics to be explored include principles of deduction and induction, logical fallacies in language and thought, fact versus judgment, science and superstition, and how to overcome cognitive biases in thought and writing. This Philosophy seminar is designed to enhance the student's critical thinking, writing, and research skills in preparation for upper division academic activity. (CSU/UC)Â (AA/AS-A3, CSU-A3, IGETC-1B)