A' Level Critical Thinking (Full AS/A2)

A' level critical thinking ocr (as/a2)

How is the course structured?

The A' Level Critical Thinking course is divided into four comprehensive units:

UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

Part A – the language of reasoning

3.1.1 What is an argument?
- What is an argument?
- Some basic rules of arguments
- Using common notation as shorthand

3.1.2 The elements of an argument
- What are argument indicators?
- Counter arguments
- The use of counter claims
- Providing evidence
- Providing examples
- Hypothetical reasoning
- Assumptions

3.1.3 How strong is the evidence in a reason?
- Evaluating evidence
- How big was the sample?
- Was the sample representative?
- How and when was the evidence collected?
- How is the evidence presented?
- Alternative interpretations of statistics
- How well does a reason support the conclusion?

Part B – Credibility

3.1.4 What is credibility?
3.1.5 Credibility criteriaIs the evidence plausible?
- Is the source an eye witness?
- Is there corroboration?
- To what extent are different sources consistent with each other?
- Is there any suggestion of bias?
- Does the source have a vested interest?
- Is the source neutral?
- Can the source be seen as expert?
- Does the source have a positive reputation?

3.1.6 A guide to the unit one exam
- How the exam works
- What do I need to be able to do?
- How to give a good answer
- Practice makes perfect!

UNIT 2 ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING ARGUMENT

Part A – Further points on components

3.2.1 Some things that are not an argument
- Explanation
- Description
- Opinion

3.2.2 Intermediate conclusions
3.2.3 Analogies
3.2.4 Principles
3.2.5 Drawing conclusions

Part B – spotting problems with an argument - types of flaw

3.2.6 Inconsistency and contradiction
3.2.7 Types of flawWrong actions
- Unwarranted assumption of a causal relationship
- Generalisation
- Restricting the options
- Slippery slope
- Circular argument
- Confusing necessary and sufficient conditions
- Conflation
- Straw person
- Ad hominem flaws
- Arguing from one thing to another
3.2.8 Irrelevant appeals

Part C – Developing your own reasoned argument
Part D – Guide to the unit 2 exam

UNIT 3: ETHICAL REASONING AND DECISION MAKING

3.3.1 Ethical reasoningConflicting ideas
- Social, political, religious and moral factors
- More on hypothetical reasoning
- Different responses, different criteria

3.3.2 Dilemmas, applying principles and decision making
- The nature of a dilemma
- Constructing arguments

UNIT 4 CRITICAL REASONING

3.4.1 Analysis and evaluation of complex arguments
- Assumptions
- Valid and invalid arguments
- Syllogisms
- Sustained suppositional reasoning
- Sustained counter-argument
- Relationship between components
- Independent or joint?
- Smaller arguments, counter arguments and explanations
- Not part of an argument?
- Evaluating strength and weakness

3.4.2 Developing your own cogent and complex arguments

Course Fees

Our aim is to provide you with the best deal available, therefore registration fee, certification fee and full tutor support is included in the course price for you. The enrolment fee for the A' Level Critical Thinking (Full AS + A2) home study course is £450, though for a limited time we are offering you the opportunity to pay only £360 which is a 20% discount if you enrol online and pay in full.

You can also opt for our Easy Payment Plan and enrol online today by paying a deposit of £90 and then 4 equal payments of £90 per month. The first instalment is paid about a month after you receive your course

Online Version : £360
Online & Paper Version : £425