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AS Critical Thinking

A Level

In Eastleigh ()

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Duration

    1 Year

Critical Thinking is predominantly a skills-based course. It is characterised by the careful, reflective consideration of reasoned argument; and of the beliefs and claims that make up arguments. No specialist knowledge of particular academic subjects is required. However, a course in Critical Thinking will introduce you to a range of concepts, terms and techniques that may be new to you,

Important information

Government funding available

About this course

Critical Thinking is a thought-provoking and intellectually demanding subject that would be particularly suitable for students expecting to achieve a majority of A or B grades at GCSE. However, its basic entry requirement for AS level is 5 GCSEs at Grade A*-C, to include Mathematics and a B grade in English Language.

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Course programme


Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is predominantly a skills-based course. It is characterised by the careful, reflective consideration of reasoned argument; and of the beliefs and claims that make up arguments.

No specialist knowledge of particular academic subjects is required. However, a course in Critical Thinking will introduce you to a range of concepts, terms and techniques that may be new to you, and which will enable you to reflect more constructively on your own and other people's reasoning.
Some of the intellectual attitudes and habits you can expect to develop are listed below:
  • Fair-mindedness
  • Independent thinking
  • Healthy skepticism
  • Care and persistence
  • Confidence in reasoning
  • Intellectual courage

You will use a wide range of resources to help you develop critical thinking skills. These may be drawn from the sciences, arts, and humanities, as well as from topics of general interest and concern and will include contemporary articles, news reports, advertisements and T.V. and film documentaries.

Students studying the OCR AS Critical Thinking course at school will be able to continue this AQA course at A2 Level.

What Will I Learn on this Course?
  • An understanding of the principles, concepts and techniques of Critical Thinking.
  • A framework for moral, social and ethical decision-making.
  • The skills of communication, problem solving, analysis and evaluation.
  • A capacity for methodical and critical thought which will serve as an end in itself as well as a basis for further study.

At A2 you will use a range contemporary issues such as poverty; pollution; genetics; cosmetic surgery; and the media and privacy to help you learn how to analyse ethical arguments, how to engage in reasoned decision making and how to assess risk and uncertainty.

Course Content and Method of Assessment

There are 2 units for the AS award and 2 units for A2, making 4 units altogether for the full A Level.
There is no assessed coursework in Critical Thinking - assessment is by written examination, as follows:

Units of Assessment
All units are externally assessed with the assessment set and marked by AQA.
Candidates must take units 1 and 2 for the AS GCE award and all four units for the full Advanced GCE award.
After the Course

Critical Thinking is highly valued by universities for its challenging content. It will help prepare you for the academic and intellectual demands of higher education across a very wide range of subjects, as well as for future employment and life in general.

The syllabus provides an especially good foundation in reasoning for students intending to pursue a career in Law and it is also very suitable for students going on to study Medicine and other health related courses, as well as the Social Sciences.

Subject Combinations

Critical Thinking complements all AS and A level courses, especially traditional academic subjects.

Entry Requirements

Critical Thinking is a thought-provoking and intellectually demanding subject that would be particularly suitable for students expecting to achieve a majority of A or B grades at GCSE. However, its basic entry requirement for AS level is 5 GCSEs at Grade A*-C, to include Mathematics and a B grade in English Language.

AS Critical Thinking

Price on request