Critical Thinking AS Level

Critical Thinking AS Level
Critical thinkers are intellectually courageous! They look at life in an enquiring and fair-minded way. Critical thinking involves understanding the key features of arguments as well as the ability to present and evaluate a clear, reasoned case. The course will cover a wide range of topics, including ethical issues and methods, contemporary situations and the media. A variety of case studies (from sightings of supernatural phenomena to police shootings) will be used to develop analytical skills and make determinations of truth. By the end of the course students will know the vocabulary of argument and debate and be able to make efficient and effective arguments. They will develop confidence in their ability to defend their own ideas, learning the skills required to think critically about themselves and the world in which they live.

What does the course involve?
The course is divided into two sections. The first is an overal introduction to reasoning and argument in which students will learn to identify supporting reasons for claims and to analyse, respond to and present arguments.

The second section concentrates on how to deal with information, inference and explanation within arguments. Students will learn how to understand and apply trends and patterns in numerical and statistical data, identifying any vested interests, biases and inadequacies of this type of evidence.

What will I study?
Course units: Unit one: Introduction to Reasoning and Argument. Unit two: Information, Inference and Explanation.

How is the course assessed?

• Examination at the end of the course

What other costs are there?
Supplementary Costs
Band A (£0 - £50)

Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours per week does the course take?
AS Critical Thinking is taught in small classes, so is delivered in two hours of lessons per week.

Is an A-level in Critical Thinking worth having?
Critical Thinking is generally recognised as a challenging and worthwhile subject that provides students with reasoning skills that will prove valuable no matter what they go on to do. Being able to think well matters. Critical Thinking is also useful for students who intend to progress to university and want to have something on their application forms to set them apart from others. Some universities do not include Critical Thinking when calculating UCAS points, so it is important that it is taken as an extra, rather than as a core subject, but students who do well in it do have an advantage.
Exam Board = OCR

This information is believed to be correct. Cirencester College continually updates and reviews its provision to ensure that it meets the needs of the community. Therefore the right to amend, change or delete learning programmes, accreditation routes or terms and conditions relating to entitlement to study is reserved at all times. We aim to provide open access to a comprehensive range of high quality education and training for the whole community over the age of 16 regardless of race, class, belief, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, previous educational attainment or particular circumstances.

Entry Requirements

You will need grade C in FIVE of the following (inc. short GCSEs) : English Language or Literature/Humanities (History,Geography,RS,Sociology,Psychology)/Business/Science (Core and Additional OR triple)/Maths/Foreign Language - If that does not include GCSE English Language, you must take this course at college and achieve a C to progress to A2.
You must achieve a grade C in any GCSE taken which is directly related to this AS level unless a higher grade is specified.