Introduction
Students will participate in activities which help them to develop their problem solving, analytical and creative thinking, and use of reason and argument.
Teaching Goal
Students develop transferable skills in assessing arguments and in making their own arguments. These include use of critical thinking in research and writing/speaking, and using reason in debate.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to critical thinking and problem solving and logic activities.
2. Assessing arguments: consideration of opinions and arguments put forward on both sides of some major issues, looking for strengths and weaknesses in those arguments. Exemplars will be taken from the media including political speech, scientific debate, and social issues.
3. Building arguments: students will work to construct their own arguments using evidence and reason.
4. Students will apply the skills learnt to analyse and produce written arguments.
5. Students will use the skills learnt to participate in debates.