Overview

This unit provides students with an introduction to the nature of critical inquiry in higher education. This includes what it means to be a critical thinker, reader and writer and how to apply critical thinking strategies to problem solving when developing written and spoken texts.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Term 4
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
22-September-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
22-September-2025
Census date
10-October-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
17-October-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
HE Block 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
14-June-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-March-2026
Census date
24-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
24-March-2026
Results released date
14-July-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Conduct independent research inquiry acknowledging sources
  • Collaborate in groupwork activities to analyse and present arguments and information
  • Analyse readings and prepare critical and persuasive arguments
  • Develop written and spoken texts using critical thinking and problem-solving strategies

Teaching methods

All applicable locations

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)

Face to Face Contact (Class)

 4  12 weeks 48
Unspecified Learning Activities (Independent Learning) 6  12 weeks 72
Unspecified Learning Activities (Various) 2.5 12 weeks 30
Total     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULOs
Assignment 1 Individual  %0 1,3
Assignment 2 Group  %0 1,2,3
Assignment 3 Individual  %0 1,3,4

Content

  • Critical research, thinking, reading, notetaking and writing
  • Critical independent research inquiry
  • Collaborative learning and participation in group presentation
  • Critical analysis and argumentation
  • Understanding use and proper acknowledgement of sources in written assignments
  • Why and how referencing and academic integrity form your critical writing voice

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.