Fostering Theoretical Thinking in Undergraduate Classes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12377540 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mark Souva (0000-0002-0573-2839, Florida State University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2007 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 557-561 |
| Publication date | 2007-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PS Political Science & Politics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1049-0965 • E-ISSN: 1537-5935 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s1049096507070849 |
| OpenAlex | W2126848532 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 15 |
How should educators teach students to make better theoretical arguments, that is, an argument that is logical and fruitful? Logical thinking is about making valid deductions from a set of premises and avoiding fallacies. Fruitful thinking involves making an argument that fits reality. Theoretical thinking, then, emphasizes building a sound argument with relevant and interesting empirical implications. In this way, theoretical thinking complements the more common educational mantra of teaching students to think critically, which tends to focus on the detection of fallacies or other flaws in an argument. Emphasizing detection instead of construction, however, limits the development of analytical and independent thinking. To better teach the range of thinking skills most educators want their students to acquire calls for a focus on the understanding and construction of theoretical arguments, and this calls for greater emphasis on learning at least a basic system of logic. I thank Eric Hoffmann, Bob Jackson, Will Moore, Jeff Staton, and the reviewers for many helpful comments on earlier drafts. All remaining errors are my responsibility
Argument (complex analysis · Convergent thinking · Creative thinking · Creativity · Critical systems thinking · Critical thinking · Epistemology · Focus (optics · Lateral thinking · Linguistics · Logical reasoning · Mantra · Mathematics education · Parallel thinking · Set (abstract data type · Vertical thinking · Computer Science · Education and Critical Thinking Development · Educational Strategies and Epistemologies · Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology
Strong Inference
The Method of Multiple Working Hypotheses
The Clash of Civilizations
An introduction to models in the social sciences
Rational Deterrence Theory and Comparative Case Studies
International Relations Theory, Foreign Policy Substitutability, and “Nice” Laws
Three Puzzles in Search of a Researcher
Do Democratic Institutions Constrain or Inform? Contrasting Two Institutional Perspectives on Democracy and War
The Modernizing Imperative
The Clash of Civilizations
Domestic Political Audiences and the Escalation of International Disputes
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,17 |
| Citation span | 2008 - 2014 (7) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |