Programme Specification

FP3301 - Critical Thinking

1. Module Code

FP3301

2. Module Title

Critical Thinking

3. Module Level

4. Module Credit

20 CC 10 ECTS

5. Delivery Site(s)

Centre for Foundation Studies

6. Available to / Restrictions

N/A

7. Expected Student Learning Activity

Tutor contact: 60 hours

Self directed study: 140 hours

Lectures, seminars, workshops

Scheduled hours	Placement Hours	Independent Guided study
60	0	140

8. Attendance Guidance

Students are expected to attend all timetabled classes.

9. Module Content

An introduction to creative and critical thinking concepts
Considering credibility; belief and truth
Identifying how language is used for persuasion
Identifying how image is used for persuasion
Recognising how media is used for manipulation
An introduction to advertising and marketing techniques
Representation and misrepresentation of data

10. Aims

1. To introduce approaches to analytical and critical thinking.

2. To develop an understanding of critical thinking when applied to language, image, and media and advertising output.

11. Methods of Learning and Teaching and Formative Assessment

Lectures and seminars accompanied by workshops, group work, structured debate and presentations. Formative assessment will be ongoing and will comprise activities that enable a student to appraise their own learning and guide them towards the development of self-study.

12. Learning Outcomes

LO1 Describe some of the approaches in critical thinking.

LO2 Apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of texts and media.

LO3 Present and support an academic argument or viewpoint.

LO4 Develop confidence in their own reasoning and fairness in considering different viewpoints.

13. Assessment and Reassessment Components and Weighting

13a. Assessment

	Component	Weighting %	Learning outcome(s) assessed	Assessment category
1	Essay 1200 words	50%	1 and 3	Coursework
2	Coursework 1200 words	50%	2 and 4	Coursework

13b. Reassessment

Reassessment will use the same mode of assessment.

14. Key References

Barnes, J. (2000). Aristotle: a very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press

Bowell, T. & Kelp, Gary. (2002). Critical Thinking: a concise guide. Routledge (ebook)

Davies, M.W. and Barnett, R. (2015). The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Thinking in Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan

Russell. B. (2009). History of Western Philosophy. Routledge

Taylor. CCW. (1998). Socrates: a very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press

Van Den Brink-Budgen, R. (2011). Critical Thinking for Students. (4th ed.). Howtobooks Ltd.

15. Module Leader

Lucy Irvine

16. Module Assessment Board

Centre for Foundation Studies

17. Approved by

Chair's Action on behalf of LTI BoS

18. Date of Approval

Mon, 19 Sep 2016

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