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ARTFF027

Critical Thinking and Study Skills

Course Outline

Autumn 2024/25

CENTRE FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE & FOUNDATION EDUCATION

Autumn Semester

Critical Thinking and Study Skills

Course Aims and Objectives:

This module will cover logic, persuasion and study skills to prepare students for undergraduate studies. It will provide the skills necessary for a more critical approach to study, and to develop the skills required to tackle written examination and coursework.

This module aims to:

• introduce the fundamental components of critical thinking and study skills within the context of academic disciplines.

• develop skills in analysing and solving problems by focusing on the abilities to problem solve and to present, evaluate and support an academic argument or viewpoint.

• develop skills that will enable participants to develop confidence in their own reasoning, tolerance of ambiguity, flexibility and fairness in considering viewpoints.

• develop the skills required to undertake written examinations and coursework in the foundation and undergraduate programmes taught in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module, students are expected to have developed knowledge and skills in these areas:

a Knowledge and understanding

have a knowledge and understanding of critical thinking skills required to enable students to produce high quality work in their undergraduate courses.

b Intellectual skills

• The cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis, including the ability to identify assumptions, to detect false logic or reasoning, to define terms and to generalize appropriately.

• Problem solving and decision-making skills

c Professional/practical skills

• Qualitative skills of problem analysis, research and solution, including the ability to work with case studies in the business context

• Self-awareness, teamwork and leadership skills

d Transferable (key) skills

• Competency in all aspects of English Language to a level required for the study of an undergraduate degree programme

• Study skills including critical thinking, argument, essay and report writing

• Independent learning

• Ability to work constructively in groups

Method and Frequency of Class:

Lectures – Two lectures per week for 10 weeks. Each lecture will last 1.5 hours.

Lectures will provide an overview of the major themes related to a particular topic. You are encouraged to take notes as you listen to the delivery of the subject matter. You should not aim to write down every word spoken but should focus on key concepts and relevant examples discussed in the lectures. Also, make notes on the key areas for further reading recommended. It is more important to understand the subject content than to have a complete set of notes, which you do not understand.

Workshops – Six workshops throughout the semester. Each workshop will be an hour.

Workshops involve independent study/research followed by a group discussion during seminar classes. Workshops questions may be given to students in advance of the class. In a university, learning does not just occur in class (lecture and seminars). Therefore, students are expected to research a subject outside the timetabled contact hours. It is essential to do research before attempting workshop questions which require application and analysis of the subject matter. This presumes that the student has a good understanding of the topic to be discussed.