About the Author

Pati Shojaee is a community college professor with a background in Communication Studies and Linguistics. She has been teaching courses in critical thinking, persuasion, and interpersonal communication for almost a decade, with a focus on social justice, media literacy, and student-centered learning.

This textbook was created in collaboration with ChatGPT, an AI tool developed by OpenAI, as part of an effort to make educational materials more accessible, current, and engaging. Pati used AI not to replace her expertise, but to enhance it—combining her years of teaching experience with emerging technology to build a practical and inclusive resource for today’s students.

She believes critical thinking is not just an academic skill, but a vital tool for navigating the complexities of modern life with clarity, compassion, and integrity.