This is a self-study version of the Centre for Academic Success Critical Thinking course. This course covers the same content as the Zoom and classroom based versions of the Critical Thinking course; however, there are no face-to-face sessions and the content is covered through videos, articles and Canvas quizzes. This means you can complete the course in your own time. The course is made up of the following lessons:
LESSON ONE: Introduction and Defining Critical Thinking
This lesson will consider what critical thinking is and why it is important. It will also cover the common barriers to critical thinking that we all face.
LESSON TWO: Defining, Identifying and Analysing Arguments
This lesson will consider what arguments are and how we can identify and analyse them. Different techniques for analysing arguments will be introduced, which are helpful for planning assignments.
LESSON THREE: Evaluating Arguments and Identifying Fallacies
This lesson will consider how we can go about evaluating arguments. It will also consider what makes both a good and bad argument and cover some of the common problems people make with their reasoning.
LESSON FOUR: Persuasion and Effective Conversation
This lesson will look at how speakers and authors make their arguments more persuasive. It will also consider how we can use critical thinking skills to communicate more effectively when discussing and debating difficult topics.
LESSON FIVE: Critical Thinking and Assignments
This lesson will act as a summary to the course and consider how the course material can be applied to help you get better results in assignments.