About this course: In this course, you will learn how to develop your Critical Thinking Skills to help you achieve success in your university studies. After completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Use critical thinking and argumentation in university contexts to improve academic results 2. Understand the importance and function of critical thinking in academic culture 3. Use a variety of thinking tools to improve critical thinking 4. Identify types of argument, and bias within arguments, in order to better evaluate the strength of arguments 5. Use evidence to support claims in arguments 6. Apply critical thinking and argumentation to real world problems and issues
Who is this class for: This course is a high-level academic skills course designed to increase your level of academic preparedness prior to commencement of your studies in an English-medium university. The course equips you for full participation and engagement with your studies by building awareness and understanding of the core values and expectations of academic culture.
Created by: The University of Sydney
Taught by: Katherine Olston, Deputy Director (Digital Learning)
University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching
Taught by: Luke Alexander, Academic Literacy Instructor and MOOC Learning Instructor
Centre for English Teaching
| Basic Info | Course 3 of 5 in the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction to Critical Thinking in Academic Culture
7 videos, 7 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Video: Welcome to the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization!
- Reading: Critical Thinking Weekly Topics
- Reading: Critical Thinking Assessment Overview
- Reading: Summative Peer Assessment
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.1a Introduction to the Course
- Discussion Prompt: 1.1 Introduction Forum
- Practice Quiz: 1.1 Practice quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.2a Introduction to Academic Culture
- Video: 1.2b Introduction to Critical Thinking
- Practice Quiz: 1.2 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.3a Survival Skills at University part 1
- Video: 1.3b Survival Skills for University part 2
- Practice Quiz: 1.3 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 1.4a Academic Integrity
- Discussion Prompt: 1.4 Academic Integrity
- Practice Quiz: 1.4 Practice Quiz
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 1
Graded: Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 1
WEEK 2
Critical Thinking in Academic Contexts
7 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.1a Dispositions & Habits of Mind for Critical Thinking
- Video: 2.1b Dispositions & Habits of Mind for Critical Thinking Expert Video
- Discussion Prompt: 2.1 Dispositions for Critical Thinking
- Practice Quiz: 2.1 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.2a Argument Spheres
- Practice Quiz: 2.2 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.3a Argument Fields
- Practice Quiz: 2.3 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.4a Questioning in Critical Thinking
- Video: 2.4b Questioning a Text
- Video: 2.4c Questioning in Critical Thinking Expert Video
- Discussion Prompt: 2.4 Questioning in Critical Thinking
- Practice Quiz: 2.4 Practice Quiz
Graded: 2.5 Summative Quiz - Module 2
Graded: Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 2
WEEK 3
Logic & Reasoning
6 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.1a Premises and Conclusions
- Video: 3.1b Formal Logic Structures
- Practice Quiz: 3.1 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.2a Common Fallacies
- Discussion Prompt: 3.2 Common Fallacies
- Practice Quiz: 3.2 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.3a Forms of Reasoning
- Practice Quiz: 3.3 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.4a Applying Systems Thinking
- Video: 3.4b Applying Systems Thinking Expert Video
- Discussion Prompt: 3.4 Systems Thinking
- Practice Quiz: 3.4 Practice Quiz
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 3
Graded: Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 3
WEEK 4
Argumentation
10 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.1a Claims and Evidence
- Video: 4.1b Claims and Evidence Expert Video
- Discussion Prompt: 4.1 Claims and Evidence
- Practice Quiz: 4.1 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.2a Identifying Biases and Assumptions 1
- Video: 4.2b Identifying Biases and Assumptions 2
- Video: 4.2c Identifying Biases and Assumptions 3
- Discussion Prompt: 4.2 Biases and Assumptions
- Practice Quiz: 4.2 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.3a Using Critical Thinking to Evaluate Arguments 1
- Video: 4.3b Using Criteria to Evaluate Arguments 2
- Practice Quiz: 4.3 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.4a Types of Argument 1
- Video: 4.4b Types of Argument 2
- Video: 4.4c Types of Arguments Expert Video
- Discussion Prompt: 4.4 Types of Argument
- Practice Quiz: 4.4 Practice Quiz
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 4
Graded: Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 4
WEEK 5
Demonstrating Critical Thinking
6 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.1a Argument Structures
- Video: 5.1b Argument Chains
- Video: 5.1c Argument Chains - Slippery Slope
- Practice Quiz: 5.1 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.2a Models for Academic Argumentation
- Discussion Prompt: 5.2 Models of Academic Argumentation
- Practice Quiz: 5.2 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Resources
- Video: 5.3a Critical Thinking and Critique
- Practice Quiz: 5.3 Practice Quiz
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.4a Critical Thinking and Reflective Writing
- Discussion Prompt: 5.4a Critical Thinking and Reflective Writing
- Practice Quiz: 5.4 Practice Quiz
Graded: Summative Quiz - Module 5
Graded: Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 5
WEEK 6
Summative Assignment
4 readings
- Discussion Prompt: End of Course Discussion
- Reading: Summative Assessment Overview
- Reading: How to mark your peers' assignments
- Reading: Practice peer marking activity answers
- Discussion Prompt: 6.1 Course Reflection
- Reading: Congratulations - You've Finished!
Graded: Critically evaluating arguments
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|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
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| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
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