Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is a unique academic discipline which focuses explicitly on the processes that underpin our decision making and how we view our world. It requires a critical yet open-minded approach to one’s own thinking as well as that of others and an interest in current affairs.
Course Structure
The course follows the OCR A-Level specification and you receive the whole A Level in one year.
The whole A Level is made up of four mandatory units.
| AS Unit Title and Description | Assessment Method and Weighting |
|---|---|
F501: Introduction to Critical Thinking
| 1 hour 30 minutes Written Exam requiring short and long answers.AS Level – 50% A Level – 25% |
F502: Assessing and Developing Argument
| 1 hour 30 minutes Written Exam including a multiple choice element as well as short and long answers.AS Level – 50% A Level – 25% |
| A2 Unit Title and Description | Assessment Method and Weighting |
F503: Ethical Reasoning and Decision Making
| 1 hour 30 minutes Written Exam requiring short and long answers.A Level – 25% |
F504: Critical Reasoning
| 1 hour 30 minutes Written Exam requiring short and long answers.A Level – 25% |
Course Content
The four units (each building on the content of the previous) develop your ability to evaluate arguments, some of which will be given to you in the form of stimulus materials and others that you will create yourself. The topics we choose to develop these skills through are up to the class. Topics covered recently have included the dangers of texting when driving, the argument for bringing back the death penalty in the UK and whether Christmas is still religious. Students do a large amount of exam practice, as well as discussion work.
Career Opportunities
The knowledge and skills that you acquire are very relevant for careers in education, the law, the police, the civil service, the armed forces, local government, journalism, television, and business.
Entry Requirements
We require candidates to have the standard Sixth Form entry criteria, including GCSE English and Maths. You must be willing to read sources beyond the set texts, including scholarly books and articles, and be prepared to grapple with complex ethical and cultural arguments. We don’t expect you to have studied Critical Thinking before but an interest in current affairs and any experience of public speaking or debating would be beneficial for this course.
Costs
There are no specific costs incurred on this course but students are expected to come fully prepared for lessons with writing equipment and a lever arch file. They will be issued two text books which are to be returned after completion of the course.
Links
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