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Introduction

This unit provides an introduction to basic concepts important to critical thought and helps students develop skills in critical thinking and analysis. What provokes thinking? What is it that we do when we think? What makes an argument convincing? How much evidence is required to support an argument, and what counts as evidence anyway? How does 'inferential reasoning' work, and why is it helpful to know how to do it? Why is dialogue important and what happens when it breaks down? What are the limits of rational argument? What roles do images and feelings play in arguments and other forms of persuasion? Whose voices count as important? How can you develop your own voice in writing and critical argument? Students will apply the knowledge they gain through lectures to a series of practical exercises that must be completed in order for the student to receive credit for having taken the unit. On completion of the unit students will be well prepared to undertake 100 level units in the College of Arts, Law and Education.

Summary 2021

Unit name Foundations of Critical Thinking
Unit code HAA002
Credit points 12.5
Faculty/School College of Arts, Law and Education
School of Humanities
Discipline Philosophy and Gender Studies
Coordinator

Dr James Chase
Teaching staff

Level Foundation
Available as student elective? No
Breadth Unit? No

Availability

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* 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 (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  1. Distinguish arguments from other uses of language (such as explanation or narration of events).
  2. Identify the premises and conclusions of arguments and be able to supply implicit or unstated premises in an appropriate way.
  3. Make successful use of techniques for assessing the cogency or validity of arguments offered by others and for constructing your own successful arguments.
  4. Avoid common obstacles to good critical thinking (for example, fallacies, implicit biases, and relativistic thinking).
  5. Understand the virtues that good critical thinkers possess, and the attitude of critical thinking.

Fees

Requisites

Prerequisites

Co-requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On Campus:
1 hour web-based recorded lecture and 2 hours tutorial per week

Off Campus:
1 hour web-based recorded lecture and 2 hours web-based tutorial per week

Assessment

Task 1: 3 x Quizzes on arguments (40% total)

Task 2: Short assignment on building arguments (20%)

Task 3: Reflective journal (20%)

Task 4: Tutorial discussion participation (20%)

TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Recommended

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