AS Course Outline
What Is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is not concerned with learning facts but rather developing thinking. It is a basic
academic skill similar to reading and writing. Critical thinking is a kind of evaluative thinking
which is particularly concerned with the quality of reasoning or argument which is presented in
support of a belief or a course of action.
You will develop critical thinking skills in all your A-Level subjects but this subject focuses on
them alone, developing your ability to interpret, analyse and evaluate ideas and arguments. By
studying Critical Thinking you will be able to transfer the skills gained to your other academic
subjects, be they science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Psychology or Arts subjects
such as English or History.
The first Critical Thinking unit will enable students to analyse arguments as well as form
judgments as to the credibility of a range of evidence. In the second unit, students of Critical
Thinking will learn how identify flaws in reasoning as well as produce their own complex
arguments. As it is a skills based subject, very little rote learning will be required for the exams.
Critical thinking works perfectly as a fourth or fifth AS level subject. It is particularly well suited
to those students who wish to apply for university courses requiring interviews and/or special
exams although students of any subject will benefit enormously from the discipline.
What Skills Will Students Develop When Studying Critical Thinking?
The study of critical thinking will equip students with reasoning skills to use in life, work and
further academic study.
It provides opportunities for candidates to think deeply, and in a structured way, about issues that
are key to participating in society, e.g. ethical questions, cultural issues and issues of personal
responsibility. It enables students to make reasoned decisions that are based on evidence and
argument rather than assumption and prejudice.
In addition, students will find critical thinking skills of great benefit in preparing for a wide
range of careers, including the fields of law, academic research, journalism, medicine, business,
accounting and engineering.
| CRITICAL THINKING (OCR Board) AS Specification |
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Unit One
90 minutes
75 marks
50% of AS Exam
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Introduction to Critical Thinking
This exam deals with:
-The language or reasoning
-Credibility
Candidates will be presented with two or more passages totalling
around 900 words, and material presented in the form of diagrams
or images. Candidates will respond to both short-answer questions
and questions requiring more discursive answers. They will also
be expected to analyse a simple argument as well as produce an
analysis of the credibility of sources within a scenario.
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Unit Two
90 minutes
75 marks
50% of AS Exam
|
Assessing and Developing Argument
This exam deals with:
-Analysis of argument
-Evaluating arguments
-Developing own reasoned arguments
Candidates will respond to about 3,000 words of source material.
They will be asked to identify a wide range of argument
components and will assess the structure of the arguments
presented. They will also be expected to identify, explain or
evaluate a range of potential weaknesses, flaws and other aspects
of an argument. Finally candidates will be asked to write their
own arguments, in response to the stimulus material.
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Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 4 lessons per week. Homework will occasionally be set although
the emphasis will be on work done in class. Students will receive both class and revision notes
but the reading of textbooks as well as the careful reading of arguments in newspapers and
magazines is highly recommended.
Recommended Reading
Critical Thinking for AS Level Roy van den Brink-Budgen How to Books Ltd
