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Critical Thinking: Reasoning Skills for Health Professionals unit (HPH506)

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Unit year 2026

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Location: Online

Introduction

This unit teaches the fundamentals of critical thinking, with particular focus on applications in the health-care sector. You will learn how to construct, analyse, and critically evaluate arguments; how to reason logically and well; and how to communicate your thoughts clearly and effectively. You will learn practical techniques for the evaluation of reasoning, and apply these techniques with fellow students to explore topics and arguments from health-care, academia, and the popular media. The skills you acquire in this unit will be invaluable, not just across academic disciplines, but more broadly for leading a life enriched by critical thinking.

Summary

Unit name Critical Thinking: Reasoning Skills for Health Professionals
Unit code HPH506
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline Philosophy
Coordinator Doctor Richard Corry
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 23/02/2026 17/03/2026 20/04/2026 14/06/2026
Semester 2 06/07/2026 28/07/2026 31/08/2026 25/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the principles of critical thinking and their applications to the health-care sector.
  • Analyse the structure of reasoning across both academic and health-care contexts.
  • Critically evaluate the use of different types of reasoning and decision-making in health-care and other contexts.
  • Defend your own positions and decisions using clear and effective writing.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
069999 $1,192.00 $1,192.00 not applicable $2,919.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Short recorded lectures totalling approximately 45 minutes per week, online discussion participation totalling approximately 1 hour per week, and self-directed exercises totalling approximately 1 hour per week.

AssessmentWritten Argument (20%)|Portfolio (40%)|Take Home Exam (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

All required readings will be available in MyLO.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.