ATS2946 · Monash University
Critical thinking: How to analyse arguments and improve your reasoning skills
- Credit points
- 6
- Level
- 2
- Workload
- ≈ 12 h / week
- Faculty
- Arts
What it covers
Critical thinking skills are useful in a wide variety of professions, including law, business, computer science, medicine, as well as in everyday life. What is the best way to construct, articulate and represent an argument? How can we overcome bias and prejudice in our decision-making, to think clearly and innovatively? ? Should we believe what our doctors, mechanics, or financial advisors tell us, just because they are experts in their fields? By addressing questions like these, we will examine several methods of effective reasoning. We will also examine the ways in which reasoning can go wrong. If you successfully complete the unit you will be able to evaluate evidence, critique arguments, and use these abilities in a wide variety of workplace and everyday situations. This unit will help you to develop the analytical skills needed to generate new ideas and innovative solutions in your professional and personal life.
Assessment
| Task | Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Exercise | Exercise | 30% |
| In-Class Participation Activity | Exercise | 10% |
| Take Home Final Assessment | Written | 30% |
| In-Class Participation Activity | Exercise | 10% |
| Reflective Writing Essay | Written | 20% |
When and where
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On-campus |
| Caulfield | On-campus | |
| First semester | Clayton | On-campus |