Critical thinking

AS/A2 Level 2012 Entry

Critical Thinking1987-2012 •

Critical Thinking involves the development of higher level thinking skills 25 Years

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Enhances thinking ability generally and has beneficial effects on individuals other subjects you are studying

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Outstanding tutor support and resources are available

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Useful preparation for the entrance tests at prestigious universities

of inspiring

1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals

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Daniel’s

Perspective The best thing about Carmel is the atmosphere. It’s a great place to learn and get the grades you need but it’s also a brilliant place to meet new people. Critical Thinking challenges you to think about a situation in new ways. It teaches you to analyse a problem constructively and to understand reason and argument. These skills have really helped with my other subjects and the essay writing adds depth to my university application. After Carmel, I hope to study Medicine at university. I feel Carmel and Critical Thinking have given me a good advantage over other applicants.

Daniel Carney St Gregory’s Catholic High School

AS/A2 Critical Thinking Exam Board OCR The college will offer the OCR specification in Critical Thinking, the nature of which is summarised below.

Specification Aims­ Critical Thinking can be defined as a form of reflective reasoning which analyses and evaluates information and arguments by applying a range of intellectual skills in order to reach clear, logical and coherent judgements within a given context.

This specification gives students opportunities to: •

identify the component parts of an argument;

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understand the importance of examining knowledge and beliefs critically;

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recognise, analyse and evaluate their own and others’ beliefs and knowledge claims in a variety of contexts;

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recognise and evaluate assumptions;

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evaluate reasoning of different kinds, including common and important species of reasoning;

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make connections and synthesise information and arguments;

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generate their own arguments and express them clearly.

Studying: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Critical Thinking

This Critical Thinking specification provides opportunities for students to: •

demonstrate and apply a wide range of thinking skills (especially reasoning skills) in a range of contexts;

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develop an ability to transfer these skills and make connections;

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integrate ideas and develop concepts;

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use arguments;

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make judgements and evaluate evidence;

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examine questions from a broad standpoint.

Conference with Dr Roy van den Brink-Budgen

What support will I receive?

An extensive range of resources is available in this subject, including:

Meet the Tutors Michael Griffiths Head of Department Karl Smith

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Outstanding tutor support

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Detailed course notes and revision materials regularly updated to include contemporary issues

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Student workbooks

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Library texts

Critical Thinking is not a new subject. The ideas and concepts that comprise its study were developed from philosophy and education. It is an essential part of university study.

Ed Swann Nicola Newton

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How will I be assessed?

This AS qualification is divided into 2 units: Unit 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking - the language of reasoning and assessing the credibility of evidence.

Unit 2: Assessing and Developing Argument – identifying flaws and assumptions, drawing conclusions, analysing and presenting developed arguments.

The course is assessed by examination in January (1 hour 30 minutes) and May (1 hour 30 minutes). There is no coursework in this subject.

Amelia’s

Perspective I enjoy the freedom that students are given at Carmel but also the way we have access to help if we need it. I think Critical Thinking is a very useful subject, as it teaches you things that can be used in the world around you.

There are so many opportunities at Carmel, so far I’ve been on a trip to Cambridge where we were taken around Selwyn College and were given advice about applying to prestigious universities. When I leave Carmel I hope to study Maths with French at university.

Rachael’s

Perspective I have found Critical Thinking to be a fun and thought provoking subject. I enjoy the lively discussions and enthusiastic debates that we have in class, which are in a relaxed and fun environment featuring contemporary matters.

Discussions are inclusive and accessible to the whole class, encouraging our involvement. I have found Critical Thinking to be beneficial in all my other essay based subjects and an interesting subject within itself. After leaving Carmel I hope to study History at degree level.

All units are externally assessed.

The assessment is set and marked

by OCR. Assessment Objectives This specification requires candidates to: •

Analyse critically the use of different kinds of reasoning in a wide range of contexts;

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Evaluate critically the use of different kinds of reasoning in a wide range of contexts;

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Develop and communicate relevant and coherent arguments clearly and accurately in a concise and logical manner.

Amelia Scales, Rainhill High School Studying: Maths, French, English Literature, Philosophy, Critical Thinking

Rachael Cotham, De La Salle School Studying: History, Sociology, Philosophy and Religion, English, Critical Thinking

Programme of assessment Unit Level Unit Title

Mode of Duration Assessment

1

AS

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Written Exam

1 hour 30 mins

50

25

2

AS

Assessing & Developing Argument

Written Exam

1 hour 30 mins

50

25

3

A2

Ethical Reasoning & Decision Making

Written Exam

1 hour 30 mins

-

25

4

A2

Critical Reasoning

Written Exam

1 hour 30 mins

-

25

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Weighting AS GCE% Advanced GCE%

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Russell’s

Perspective Critical Thinking is really useful.

The skills I’ve developed over the past few months have helped me in my other subjects. Our lessons are engaging, with lively discussion about a range of topics! The staff are helpful too, they’re always there if you need anything. After I leave Carmel, I hope to study either History or Politics at university. I know my time at Carmel will help prepare me for that!

What does Critical Thinking involve?

Critical Thinking is the analytical thinking which underlies all rational discourse and enquiry. It is characterised by a meticulous and rigorous approach. As an academic discipline, it is unique in that it explicitly focuses on the processes involved in being rational.

These processes include: analysing arguments; judging the relevance and significance of information; evaluating claims, inferences, arguments and explanations; constructing clear and coherent arguments; forming well-reasoned judgements and decisions.

Being rational also requires an open-minded yet critical approach to one’s own thinking as well as that of others.

Critical Thinking is just as much a vital academic skill as good reading and writing. In many A Level exams a high percentage of marks are awarded for reasoning and evaluation.

Subject tutors aim to develop students’ critical ability as part of the teaching of their specialist subject. Critical Thinking differs in that it focuses directly on improving your thinking skills enabling you to transfer these skills to your other subjects and everyday life through detailed discussion of contemporary issues. Critical Thinking therefore complements any AS/ A2 programme as the skills you develop can be applied to essays, coursework and exams. It will also be beneficial when presenting yourself at job and university interviews.

Many prestigious universities use critical thinking-type tests for prospective students and the academic rigour required is the focus for Medicine and Law course entrance tests. Studying Critical Thinking at AS Level will therefore be a useful preparation for these tests.

Russell Jones Wade Deacon High School Studying: Law, Politics, English Lit, History, Critical Thinking

Why study Critical Thinking?

• It is useful • It is interesting

• It is fun It will enable you to: • Understand and analyse what other people say and write • Decide whether other people’s reasoning is strong or weak • Assert your own point of view and argue convincingly

More Information Course Specification is available from the OCR Exam Board website: www.ocr.org.uk

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This will help you in your other studies and your life to: • Make rational decisions • Give reasons for your own beliefs and actions • Write logical, structured pieces of work • Attempt to answer questions where you do not know the answer.

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