In this course, you will learn how to develop your Critical Thinking Skills to help you achieve success in your university studies. After completing this course, you will be able to:
1. Use critical thinking and argumentation in university contexts to improve academic results
2. Understand the importance and function of critical thinking in academic culture
3. Use a variety of thinking tools to improve critical thinking
4. Identify types of argument, and bias within arguments, in order to better evaluate the strength of arguments
5. Use evidence to support claims in arguments
6. Apply critical thinking and argumentation to real world problems and issues
This course is part of the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization
Critical Thinking Skills for University Success
Offered By
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
1Introduction to Critical Thinking in Academic Culture
7 videos (Total 47 min), 7 readings, 6 quizzes
7 videos
1.1a Introduction to the Course3m
1.2a Introduction to Academic Culture10m
1.2b Introduction to Critical Thinking9m
1.3a Survival Skills at University part 15m
1.3b Survival Skills for University part 27m
1.4a Academic Integrity9m
7 readings
Critical Thinking Weekly Topics10m
Critical Thinking Assessment Overview10m
Summative Peer Assessment10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
6 practice exercises
1.1 Practice quiz6m
1.2 Practice Quiz6m
1.3 Practice Quiz6m
1.4 Practice Quiz6m
Summative Quiz - Module 110m
Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 110m
Week
2Critical Thinking in Academic Contexts
7 videos (Total 46 min), 4 readings, 6 quizzes
7 videos
2.1b Dispositions & Habits of Mind for Critical Thinking Expert Video6m
2.2a Argument Spheres7m
2.3a Argument Fields7m
2.4a Questioning in Critical Thinking6m
2.4b Questioning a Text6m
2.4c Questioning in Critical Thinking Expert Video4m
4 readings
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
6 practice exercises
2.1 Practice Quiz6m
2.2 Practice Quiz6m
2.3 Practice Quiz6m
2.4 Practice Quiz6m
2.5 Summative Quiz - Module 225m
Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 210m
Week
3Logic & Reasoning
6 videos (Total 47 min), 4 readings, 6 quizzes
6 videos
3.1b Formal Logic Structures9m
3.2a Common Fallacies7m
3.3a Forms of Reasoning9m
3.4a Applying Systems Thinking7m
3.4b Applying Systems Thinking Expert Video4m
4 readings
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
6 practice exercises
3.1 Practice Quiz6m
3.2 Practice Quiz6m
3.3 Practice Quiz6m
3.4 Practice Quiz6m
Summative Quiz - Module 325m
Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 310m
Week
4Argumentation
10 videos (Total 67 min), 4 readings, 6 quizzes
10 videos
4.1b Claims and Evidence Expert Video3m
4.2a Identifying Biases and Assumptions 15m
4.2b Identifying Biases and Assumptions 28m
4.2c Identifying Biases and Assumptions 36m
4.3a Using Critical Thinking to Evaluate Arguments 16m
4.3b Using Criteria to Evaluate Arguments 25m
4.4a Types of Argument 111m
4.4b Types of Argument 26m
4.4c Types of Arguments Expert Video5m
4 readings
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
Learning Outcomes10m
6 practice exercises
4.1 Practice Quiz10m
4.2 Practice Quiz6m
4.3 Practice Quiz6m
4.4 Practice Quiz6m
Summative Quiz - Module 425m
Discussion Board Self Assessment - Module 410m
Instructors
Katherine Olston
Deputy Director (Digital Learning)University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching
Luke Alexander
Academic Literacy Instructor and MOOC Learning InstructorCentre for English Teaching
About The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is one of the world’s leading comprehensive research and teaching universities, consistently ranked in the top 1 percent of universities in the world. In 2015, we were ranked 45 in the QS World University Rankings, and 100 percent of our research was rated at above, or well above, world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia report.
About the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization
Develop skills in information & digital literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication.
This Specialization is a high-level academic skills course designed to increase your level of academic preparedness prior to commencement of your studies in an English-medium university. The course equips you for full participation and engagement with your studies by building awareness and understanding of the core values and expectations of academic culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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