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Critical Thinking

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:8.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:25:54
Study Course Information
Course Code:KSK_235LQF level:Level 7
Credit Points:4.00ECTS:6.00
Branch of Science:Communication SciencesTarget Audience:Information and Communication Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Artūrs Utināns
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)12Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures24
Classes (count)12Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes24
Total Contact Hours48
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic knowledge in critical thinking.
Objective:
To promote mastering of knowledge about scientific scepticism in information analysis, thinking logic, argumentation and leading a scientific discussion. To promote shaping of understanding of the importance of objective thinking in professional and public life, conducting and interpreting research.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Definitions of critical thinking. Critical thinking skills. Knowledge of methodology. Disposition of critical thinking. Self-assessment of critical thinking. Perfect critical thinker. Dual-system theory: fast and slow thinking.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Process of mastering critical thinking skills: description, analysis, evaluation. Steps of the analytical process steps of critical thinking. Reflection and clarification.Classes1.00auditorium
3Laws of logic: the law of clarification of the studied value; the law of contradiction; the law of excluded middle; the law of sufficient (satisfactory) evidence. Difference of causal links from other types of links (correlations, similarities, matches).Lectures1.00auditorium
4Values limiting logic: values; feeling of being correct; impulsive emotions; own image as self-deception.Lectures1.00auditorium
5Most frequent logical errors.Classes1.00auditorium
6Short history of development of the most important ideas in scientific and critical thinking.Lectures1.00auditorium
7Critical thinking in consciousness theories. Debates.Classes1.00auditorium
8Components of disposition of critical thinking and their development.Classes1.00auditorium
9Argumentation skills. Differentiation between weak and strong arguments. Disproof of erroneous assumptions. Socratic dialogue. Debates.Lectures1.00auditorium
10Determining convictions or assumptions. Debates – what a mental disease is and what mental health is. Homosexuality – norm or pathology.Classes1.00auditorium
11Critical thinking and empathy. Ability to tolerate opposite viewpoints. Ability to adequately perceive criticism. Inadequate perception of criticism.Classes1.00auditorium
12Critical thinking as truthfulness. Necessity of lies. Debates.Lectures1.00auditorium
13Critical thinking and emotional intelligence.Classes1.00auditorium
14Critical thinking and morals. Intuitive morals and critical thinking based ethics. Disproof of prejudices.Lectures1.00auditorium
15Formulating disproving intuitive moral arguments. Debates.Classes1.00auditorium
16Critical thinking and creative thinking. Flexibility, open-mindedness and scepticism as conservatism of evidences. Brainstorming as a technique.Lectures1.00auditorium
17Development of Socratic dialogue skills.Classes1.00auditorium
18Conflict of critical thinking with irrational subpersonalities. Types of irrational human subpersonalities. Significance of recognising subpersonalities in the self-assessment development of critical thinking.Lectures1.00auditorium
19Critical thinking in theories on human nature and gender differences. Debates.Lectures1.00auditorium
20Critical thinking in theories on free will. Debates.Classes1.00auditorium
21Illusions. Self-deception. Delirium. Magical thinking, mythological thinking, belief in paranormal and critical thinking. Errors in the argumentation of conspiracy theories. Problems of disaproving conspiracy theories.Lectures1.00auditorium
22Critical thinking in matters of faith (scepticism, agnosticism, atheism, secular humanism, rationalism).Classes1.00auditorium
23Critical thinking and accomplishment of happiness or feeling of comfort.Classes1.00auditorium
24Five forms necessary for future thinking (Howard Gardner’s theory). Disciplined, synthesising, creative, respectful and ethical types of thinking.Lectures1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
In the independent work the student reviews potential data analysis thinking models, argumentation of his/her opinion.
Assessment Criteria:
Participation of students in practical works is evaluated. In the independent work the student reviews potential data analysis thinking models, argumentation of his/her opinion. The class test is passed, if practical works and the independent work have been performed successfully. The test assessment consists of assessments of practical works and the independent work and is passed, if corresponds to at least grade 4.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:1. Knowledge about the principles of analysis of information, theories and individual beliefs. 2. Knowledge about principles of strong argumentation.
Skills:1. Skills to substantiate their own opinion. 2. Skills to differentiate scientifically justified beliefs from pseudoscientific beliefs. 3. Skills in discussions and conducting talks. 4. Skills to draw justified conclusions. 5. Skills to analyse the read information. 6. Skills to critically justify own research.
Competencies:After mastering the study course students will be able to evaluate information and scientificity of different theories.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Stella Jones-Devitt and Liz Smith. Critical Thinking in Health and Social Care. SAGE Publications, 2007.
2Browne, M. Neil. Asking the right questions: a guide to critical thinking / M. Neil Browne, Stuart M. Keeley. Bowling Green State University. 11th edition.
Additional Reading
1Rubene, Z. Kritiskā domāšana studiju procesā. Otrs papildinātais izdevums. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2008.
2Schick, T. How to think about weird things: critical thinking for a new age. 7th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2014.
3Smith, Jonathan C. Pseudoscience and extraordinary claims of the paranormal: a critical thinker’s toolkit. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
Other Information Sources
1Argumentācija un kritiskā domāšana. 1.-6. lekcija. Mārtiņš Vaivars, Edgars Lapiņš. YouTube.
2https://www.criticalthinking.org/