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Hallmark Guides - Critical Thinking

Anna Van Wie

Director, Learning Outcomes Assessment

School of Undergraduate Studies

Published: March-April 2011

Category: » Online-pedagogy » Teaching-strategies

Definition

Graduates will be able to modify thinking based on recognizing and critiquing assumptions, emotional appeals, and speculations to form logical, evidence-based conclusions.

Graduates will be able to:

1. Make linkages or connections between diverse facts, theories, and observations.
2. Use reasoning to recognize, develop, defend, and criticize arguments and other persuasive appeals.
3. Distinguish among assumptions, emotional appeals, speculations, and defensible evidence.
4. Weigh support for conclusions to determine how well reasons support conclusions.
5. Develop credible responses to complex questions.

Stages required for development as a critical thinker:

Stage One: The Unreflective Thinker (we are unaware of significant problems in our thinking)

Stage Two: The Challenged Thinker (we become aware of problems in our thinking)

Stage Three: The Beginning Thinker (we try to improve but without regular practice)

Stage Four: The Practicing Thinker (we recognize the necessity of regular practice)

Stage Five: The Advanced Thinker (we advance in accordance with our practice)

Stage Six: The Master Thinker (skilled & insightful thinking become second nature to us)

Sample assignments

Course: ENGL 303

Critical Interpretations of Literature Question (embedded in final exam): Using (insert critical theory of instructor's choice) and another critical theory of your choice, apply both theories to one of the course texts. Argue that one of the theories is a better fit for understanding and interpreting the text, and defend your choice with quotes from the text and information on the critical theory that you obtained from the class modules and other sources.

Course: PHIL 315

Workplace Ethics Paper: Briefly compare and contrast the various theories of economic justice presented in your readings. First, choose one theory that you believe is the best or about which you want to engage in creative intellectualizing, and present a zealous argument in its favor, responding to the principal arguments of its critics as well. Next, choose one of the following topics:

• Fairness in hiring and promotions, employees' rights and duties
• The mommy track and glass ceiling
• Sexual and/or gender harassment, gender identity, and sexual orientation
• Affirmative action and equal employment opportunities
• Corporate mergers and takeovers
• Corporate responsibility to the culture of its employees and/or country in operates in
• Corporate responsibility to the environment

Finally, apply your theory of economic justice to the topic you have chosen and indicate how you would resolve most (if not all) conflicts arising within that topic area.

Course: GVPT 444

American Political Theory Paper: Examine Rousseau's theory of the origins of inequality and injustice in the world. Explain his idea that all evil in the world happens because of social, economic, and political inequities. Construct an argument defending or opposing Rousseau’s theory. Try to incorporate another philosopher’s or politician’s theories into your argument.

Resources/Links

The Critical Thinking Community
http://www.criticalthinking.org/professionalDev/higherEducation.cfm

Critical Thinking as a Core Academic Skill: A Review of Literature
http://umuc.edu/outcomes/pdfs/CRITICAL_THINKING_LITERATURE_REVIEW.pdf

Have Questions?

For more information on the Critical Thinking Hallmark, contact Jennifer Thompson, SUS, at 240-684-2897 or jlwthompson@umuc.edu