Title: Topic 1: Critical Thinking & the University
Course: Introduction to Critical Thinking > Section: Course Content

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Critical thinking is said to be a defining characteristic of a university graduate.

Universities have evolved from mere teaching of knowledge to areas of research and community service.

This topic is intended to introduce you to the basic definition of critical thinking. A study of the historical evolution of the university will help you understand the important role expected of the university in developing critical thinking skills.

Such skills are the foundation of strategic thinking, creative thinking, good judgement and good decision making.

The detailed content is Topic 1 Article

1.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this topic you should be able to:

1.2.1 define critical thinking
1.2.2 explain role of a university in society from historical and modern perspectives
1.2.3 demonstrate an understanding of the need for critical thinking within a university

1.3 Below are the resources you will need
  - ·Topic 1 Article. Click here to download
  - Video 1.3.1 Critical Student . Click here to download the English transcript of this video.

Advice: Copy and paste the learning outcomes above in a document and fill in the answers as you read the article and watch the video above. This will help you better understand the content.

1.4 Activities (eTivities)

Individual – Start (about 60 min) | 1.4.1 | Read Topic 1 Article and make short notes of your own. Later you will share and explain your notes with your buddy.
1.4.2 | After watching Video 1.3.1 [Critical Student], write in about 50 words what the video is about. Keep your notes for later reference.

Buddy - Pair (about 60 min) | 1.4.3 | Discuss your notes from e-tivity 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 and make a joint summary having the most important points of the topic in not more than 400 words. Upload your work on the Discussion forum for Topic 1

Group/Class (about 60 min) | 1.4.3 | Read 3 or more summaries of submissions by others in your class. Make at least one useful comment in the discussion forum for Topic 1 under any of the Buddy-Pair submission. Your comment should have at least one positive aspect and another that helps improvement of your classmates’ submission.

1.5 Assessment

All assessments should be uploaded  here by the deadline given by the lecturer

Individual Assessment (about 90 min for both 1.5.1 and 1.5.2) | 1.5.1 | Following on your Buddy Pair activity(etivity) and after reading the submissions of the rest of your classmates, write down in your own words, in ten sentences and in the order of importance the 10 key ideas of this topic. Submit your work on Assessment 1.5.1 (Text) forum.
1.5.2 | In what ways is your university similar to and different from the model described by (a) Wilhelm Van Humboldt (1767-1835) and (b) John Henry Newman (1907)? (700 words max) (c) Beginning with its mission and vision explain how critical thinking is important in the activities of your university that contribute towards its overall aims. (1000 words max) Submit your work on Assessment 1.5.2 (Upload) forum.