Critical Thinking

1. Critical Thinking Introduction to the Unit Keith Jones

2. Critical Thinking • Critical Thinking • 10 Credit Point • M Level • Dr Keith Jones • Core Unit for all the MSc/MA Pathways

3. Introduction & Rationale • The unit is designed to introduce students to the principles behind critical thinking and prepare them for the level of work they will be expected to undertake. • It is an essential unit for any student who is studying at Masters level.

4. Aims • To introduce students to the concept of critical thinking and to its role in clarifying and improving understanding of complex situations. • To equip the student with strategies and techniques to critically analyse and evaluate the work of others.

5. Aims • To equip students with techniques for drawing inferences and constructing arguments from secondary and incomplete data sources.

6. Learning Outcomes • To identify and analyse a diverse range of appropriate sources in support of a piece of critical evaluation. • To present the results of their analysis in a concise and informed manner.

7. Teaching & Learning • Lectures • Tutorials • Assignments

8. Indicative Content • The basis of reasoning • logic • deduction • induction • syllogism • hypotheses • statistical proof • truth & fact

9. Indicative Content • Analysis and analytical thinking • underlying assumptions • critical questioning • critical debate • Identifying and sourcing secondary data • literature searches • referencing • dealing with surrogate data sets

10. Indicative Content • Interpreting secondary data • source quality • synthesis • conflict • rational and non-rational arguments • Identifying alternative explanations • brainstorming • scenario setting • lateral thinking

11. Indicative Content • Formulating solutions • advanced problem solving • games theory • constructing arguments • Presenting arguments • writing position papers • referenced essays • debating

12. Indicative Reading Chaffee J, 1994 ‘Thinking Critically’ Houghton Mifflin Garnham, A & Oakhill J, 1997 ‘Thinking and Reasoning’ Blackwell. Brookfield, S, 1995 ‘Developing critical thinkers’ Open University press Phelan P & Reynolds P, 1995 ‘Argument & Evidence: critical analysis for social science’ Routledge.

13. Unit Programme

14. Unit Programme

15. Tutorials Each student will: • be allocated a critical thinking tutor from: • Mr J O’Leary; • Ms M Rhoden; • Dr Coffey; • Dr A Holder; • Mr J Watson; • Dr Kaluarachchi • Dr Jones. • Meet with their tutor on a MONDAY

16. Tutorials • During meetings with the tutor students will: • discuss aspects of critical thinking; • be given short assignment; • prepare for submission of assignments.

17. Coursework schedule • The unit is assessed via THREE pieces of coursework: • Short assignments; • A written piece of work; • A presentation in the form of a debate.

18. Coursework schedule • Please note: late submission of work will be penalised and in extreme cases the work may not be accepted. • If you experience any difficulties during the unit please let me know.

19. Summary • This course is designed to support all your other courses. • It is taught primarily through small tutorial groups. • As a core subject you have to pass in order to obtain your MA or MSc. • I hope you enjoy the course.