Optional in stage
First term
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Taught by
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesArgumentation Theory (B-KUL-F0AB1A)
Aims
Familiarising the students with the main forms of argumentation and with a number of theoretical insights from contemporary argumentation theory. The aim is not only to acquire insight into what counts as a decent argumentation or explanation, but also to be able to apply that insight in the practical analysis of argumentations.
Previous knowledge
The expected background knowledge of someone who has passed the first bachelor year.
Is included in these courses of study
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Master in de taal- en letterkunde (60 sp.) en Educatieve master in de talen (120 sp.) (toegepaste taalkunde) (Leuven) 32 ects.
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Master in de taal- en letterkunde (60 sp.) en Educatieve master in de talen (120 sp.) (wijsbegeerte) (Leuven) 28 ects.
- Bachelor in de criminologische wetenschappen (Leuven) (Optie criminologie) 180 ects.
- Bachelor in de taal- en letterkunde (programma voor studenten gestart vóór 2021-2022) (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Bachelor in de communicatiewetenschappen (programma voor studenten gestart vóór 2022-2023) (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Master in de bedrijfscommunicatie (voor bachelors in de exacte en biomedische wetenschappen) (programma voor studenten gestart vóór 2024-2025) (Leuven) 34 ects.
- Schakelprogramma: Master in de bedrijfscommunicatie (programma voor studenten gestart vóór 2024-2025) (Leuven) 54 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Arts (Leuven)
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Master in de taalkunde (Leuven) 16 ects.
- Bachelor in de taal- en letterkunde (programma voor studenten gestart in 2021-2022 of later) (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Schakelprogramma: Master in de journalistiek (programma voor studenten gestart in 2023-2024 of later) (Brussel) 45 ects.
Activities
4 ects. Argumentation Theory (B-KUL-F0AB1a)
Content
The following key topics from argumentation theory will be dealt with:
- The difference between arguing and explaining. This includes an overview of the most important types of explanations: causal, functional, historical and structural. The deductive-nomological model of explanantion and hidden/implicit premises.
- The argumentation structure of a text, i.e. the ordering of the arguments and subarguments
- The argumentation scheme, i.e. the way in which the connection between premises and conclusion is explained in an argumentation. The difference between deductive and non-deductive (i.e. inductive and abductive) argumentation schemes.
- Deductive argumentation schemes in propositional logic.
- The most important non-deductive argumentation schemes, including the treatment of the most important (so-called) fallacies.
The different topics are illustrated by means of examples of argumentative and explanatory texts.
Course material
syllabus: H. Smessaert, Introduction to Argumentation Theory. ACCO, 2025.
Format: more information
The course mainly consists of lectures. The students are expected to prepare analysis exercices from time to time. An active participation and collaboration is expected from the students.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Argumentation Theory (B-KUL-F2AB1a)
Explanation
The written exam consists partly of the analysis of pieces of argumentation and partly of theoretical questions. Model exam questions will be provided on Toledo.