Overview

This unit introduces students to different methods of critical thinking through the history of Western thought and philosophy that underline many traditions of modern Western scholarship. It provides guidance on and practice for the development of the preparation of texts for an Australian higher educational context

Requisites

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
26-February-2024
26-May-2024
Last self-enrolment date
10-March-2024
Census date
31-March-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
12-April-2024
Results released date
02-July-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of critical thinking within the context of academic discourse
  • Analyse arguments and supporting evidence in relation to critical thinking
  • Be able to discuss and prepare discussions and responses and present assertions
  • Construct and deliver complex evidence-based arguments in the medium of English

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		3.00 12 weeks 36
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Individual Study		7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
EssayIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4 
Online QuizzesIndividual 30% 1,2,3 
PresentationIndividual 30% 2,3,4 

Content

The topics to be studied are:

  • Critical thinking overview
  • Barrier to critical thinking
  • Opinions, facts and positions
  • Identifying arguments and reasons
  • Principles of Aristotelian Rhetoric
  • Fallacies and flaws in argument
  • Identifying assumptions
  • Cognitive biases
  • Critical reading and note-making
  • Critical analysis - writing
  • Fact Checking

Study resources

Reading materials

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