ESP Biography

JONATHAN HABER, Author Critical Voter, MOOCs and Critical Thinking

Major: Chemistry

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 1985

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Jonathan Haber is the author of Critical Voter: How to Use the Election to Make Yourself (and Your Kids) Smarter. He is also the author of MOOCS: The Essential Guide, published by MIT Press which documents his attempt to learn the equivalent of a BA in Philosophy in one year using only MOOCs and other forms of free learning and Critical Thinking Essentials, also published by MIT Press.

Past Classes

(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

Z14361: How to Win an Argument in Splash 2020 (Nov. 14 - 15, 2020)

Interested in learning the tools of critical thinking and how they can be applied in school, in politics and in life? This short course will introduce you to the tools of argumentation: how to create convincing and compelling arguments, and how to know when what you're being told is valid or bunk.

Z13303: How to Win an Argument in Splash 2019 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2019)

Have you ever had an argument that never seemed to go anywhere, or one where you seemed to be arguing past one another? FInd out why and learn how to make devastatingly effective arguments as well as understand the strength and weaknesses of arguments you hear or read. Arguments are all around us, especially during an election season, and this course will empower you to understand and win them.

Z11883: How to Win an Argument in Splash 2017 (Nov. 18 - 19, 2017)

Whether you're debating politics with a friend, posting a comment online, writing a persuasive essay for school or just negotiating what to do for the weekend, you are actually engaging in argumentation. But are you doing it well or successfully? This class will teach you the basics of argumentation, allowing you to convince, persuade and thrive in a world full of (constructive) arguments.

Z10695: Critical Voter in Splash 2016 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2016)

Now that the election is over (thank God), what can you use from that experience to become a better thinker? This course will use examples from Presidential elections past to teach you the fundamentals of critical thinking, including logic, argumentation, persuasion, cognitive biases and media and Information Literacy. Don't get fooled again! Come learn to think for yourself.

Z10696: How to Make (and Pass) a Test in Splash 2016 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2016)

Learn about how educators and professional test developers create accurate and effective assessments to evaluate student learning. If you're an practicing or aspiring teacher, or just want to know how the tests you've been taking are (or should) be developed and graded, this is the class for you.

Z10697: How to Win an Argument in Splash 2016 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2016)

Want to learn the secret behind winning every argument? The first step is to realize that an argument is actually a constructive endeavor between two parties, each trying to achieve the same goal (albeit by different means). Intrigued? Find out more by taking this class.