Critical thinking
AS level - 100% examination
Why should I follow this course?
What makes a good argument? Are you a logical thinker? Are you interested in arguments that are in the news? Are you interested in learning how to put together a persuasive case? AS level critical thinking is all about the construction of logical arguments - it helps to develop your higher order thinking skills. Critical thinking is not a debating and discussion class - it looks at the more technical aspects of logic in arguments and the process of drawing conclusions from evidence. You will develop skills in the detailed analysis and evaluation of arguments and in writing clear and coherent arguments of your own. The subject involves the assessment of evidence and disputes and making reasoned judgements based on given evidence. You will also be looking at how to assess the credibility of the claims of various parties in a dispute. Critical thinking material is often related to contemporary social and cultural issues so that you will be able to assess more accurately the claims that people make about important issues in the news. There are four lessons per fortnight.
What will I learn?
AS level
- Introduction to critical thinking
- Assessing and developing argument
What teaching and learning methods will be used?
You will be given a variety of analytical and problem-solving exercises. There will be group work as well as individual work. There will be lots of written exercises and practice questions as you need to demonstrate your ability to present logical arguments in writing.
What can I do when I have my qualification?
Critical thinking is useful in any situation involving arguments and judgements. A good AS level in critical thinking is valued by universities and employers and it can also benefit your performance in many other subjects. In highly competitive specialised university courses such as law, politics and medicine, and in some university entrance tests, success in critical thinking may put you at an advantage.
What minimum qualification will I need?
NBP16C level 3 entry requirement.
Examination board:
OCR
