Critical thinking - AS Level

Critical thinking - AS Level
Exam Board: AQA NCS course code: AS-ASCRTAP
Aim At AS, the course is a general introduction to the subject of Critical Thinking. Students will have opportunities to develop the skills of analysis and evaluation, and to present some of their own reasoning.

They will be able to develop skills and attitudes which complement other studies across the curriculum and will be introduced to concepts, terms and techniques that will enable them to reflect more constructively on their own and others' reasoning.

Students are then assessed on their ability to make critical responses to information and its sources, and to draw reliable conclusions from it.

Content
The AS level has 2 units:
Unit 1: Foundation unit
Topic list
· How to recognise reasoned argument and its contexts
· How to interpret and evaluate reasoning
· The identification of evidence, ambiguity and persuasive language within reasoning
· How to recognise bad reasoning and counter it with cogent responses
· The acquisition of basic vocabulary associated with reasoning.

Assessment is by a 1 hour 30 minutes examination paper.

Section A of the paper consists of source related short answer questions assessing module 1 skills and understanding.

Section B of the paper consists of extended writing questions requiring candidates to present their own reasoning on a subject related to the source material.

Unit 2: Information, inference and explanation
· The various ways in which information or evidence can be presented
· Basic methods of numerical and statistical reasoning
· Patterns and correlations
· Plausible explanations
· How to judge what can (and cannot) be safely inferred from information or evidence
· How to use information and data to draw conclusions and construct reasoned arguments.

Assessment is by a 1 hour 30 minutes examination paper.

Section A of the paper consists of short answer questions requiring extracting and interpreting information, assessing claims and conclusions, drawing inferences and offering explanations.

Section B of the paper consists of one question requiring candidates to argue for or against a short statement or proposal.

Progression/career opportunities
This course is only offered at AS level but will prepare candidates for the academic and intellectual demands of Higher Education, as well as future employment and general living.

Screening
Students will also be screened (in the College) and must achieve literacy and numeracy at the level appropriate to the course.