A and AS Level Critical Thinking

A & AS Level - Critical Thinking

• Course Level: A & AS Level
• Duration: 2 Year
• Start date: September 2010
• Awarded By: AQA

Introduction to course
Just as there is nothing common about "common-sense", you only have to pick up a newspaper or switch on the television to come across appalling reasoning. This course will enable you to spot flaws in arguments, identify common fallacies and give you the skills to construct your own water-tight arguments. You will learn how politicians, journalists and authority figures misuse evidence, draw invalid conclusions and even use personal attacks in order to convince you of their view. Not only will your arguing skills develop - you will vet your own views and discover that many of them simply do not bear scrutiny...

Course Details
AS: Unit 1: Foundation Unit You will identify the structure of reasoning, evidence, counter-examples, flawed arguments and fallacies Unit 2: Information, Inference and Explanation You will apply the content of Unit 1 in addition to the use of statistics, inference and various forms of evidence A2 Unit 3: Beliefs, Claims & Arguments You will apply the content of the AS level in addition to the use of logic, hypotheses, principles and rhetoric Unit 4: Reasoning & Decision Making You will evaluate the content of the other 3 Units with additional focus upon the importance of value-judgements, consequences and strategies for decision-making

Where the course lead
The course offers students a suitable foundation for progression into Higher Education. Students will also find critical thinking skills of great benefit in preparation for a wide range of careers in the following fields: Law, Social Sciences, Journalism, Medicine, Business and Engineering.

This course combines well with
Any subject - the fundamental skills you will gain underpin any study at level 3 and beyond.

Course Assessment
AS: Unit 1 and 2: Exams in January and June. A2: Unit 3 and 4: Exams in June only.

Course Progression
Critical Thinking is highly valued by universities, as it demonstrates the fundamental evaluative skills required for any degree.