Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking
This course provides students with a balanced coherent study of the principles that underlie the subject of Critical Thinking. Critical Thinking can be defined as a form of reflective reasoning which analyses and evaluates information and arguments by applying a range of intellectual skills in order to reach clear, logical and coherent judgements within a given context.
A major difference between Critical Thinking and most other A Levels is its emphasis on developing skills rather than academic knowledge. Students are taught to learn how to think and argue in a critical and logical way, not what to think and not simply to take on the opinions of others.
The aim is to provide candidates with a framework which can be applied in a practical manner to a range of materials, situations, problems and issues. As a result, there is not an obvious major body of content to deliver, but rather a range of skills which candidates should be enabled to acquire.
The aims of the course are to encourage students to:

• Understand the importance of examining knowledge and beliefs critically.
• Recognise, analyse and evaluate their own and others` beliefs and knowledge claims in a variety of contexts.
• Recognise and evaluate assumptions.
• Evaluate reasoning of different kinds
• Make connections and synthesise information and arguments.
• Generate their own arguments and express them clearly.

AS Unit 1 (term 1) - January examination
Unit 1 - Credibility of Evidence
This unit has structured questions based on one or more stimulus passages.

AS Unit 2 (term 3) - June examination
Unit 2 - Assessing and Developing Argument
This unit has twenty multiple-choice questions and questions based on one or more stimulus passages.The course offers students suitable foundation for progression into further and 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.

Results
Summer 2008
AS A-C grades : 44%

A2 A-C grades : 94%

Examination Board OCR