Module Outline

Semester: 06
OCTOBER 2018 – MARCH 2019

CRITICAL THINKING – CRT3201

MODULE DETAILS

Course Location : Kolej IGS

Department : Faculty of Information Technology
Program Name : Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Information Technology
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Engineering with Multimedia
Semester : 6
Credits : 2
Status : Core
Contact hours : 2 hours
No. of weeks : 14 Teaching weeks + 2 Final examination weeks + 1 Week midterm break
Teaching Pattern : Lectures\Tutorials\Discussion\Question and Answers
Pre-requisite : None
No. of assignments : 2
Tutor’s Name : Ms Rita Lajau
Contact Number : 6738863054
E-mail : rita.l@igsbrunei.edu.bn
Website : nil
Portfolio : N/A
Venue : Tutorial Room 15
Day/Time : Thursday (8:15am – 10:15am) for Day Class, Saturday (7pm - 9pm) for Evening Class

Prepared by : Ms Rita Lajau Checked by :

Signature : Date: Signature : Date

This document comprises the following:

 Essential Information
 Specific Module Information
 Module Rules & Regulations
 Grades
 Plagiarism
 Module Introduction
 Module Aims & Objectives
 Learning Outcome
 Specific Generic Learning Skills
 Syllabus + Lecture Outline
 References
 Reading Lists
 Assessment Schedule
 Assessment Criteria
 Learning Activities
 Specific Criteria

Other documents as follows will be issued to you on an ongoing basis throughout the semester:

 Handouts for Assignments

 Submission Requirements + Guidelines

1.0 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

 All modules other than electives are 'significant modules'

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
  As an indicator of workload one credit carries and additional 2 hours of self study per week. For example, a
module worth 3 credits require that the student spends an additional 6 hours per week, either reading,
completing the assignment or doing self directed research for that module.
 Submission of ALL assignment work is compulsory in this module. A student cannot pass this module
without having to submit ALL assignment work by the due date or an approved extension of that date.
 All assignments are to be handed on time on the due date. Students will be penalized 10 percent for the
first day and 5 percent per day thereafter for late submission (a weekend or a public holiday counts as one
day). Late submission, after the date Board of Studies meeting will not be accepted.
 Due dates, compulsory assignment requirements and submission requirements may only be altered with
the consent of the majority of students enrolled in this module at the beginning/early in the program.
 Extensions of time for submission of assignment work may be granted if the application for extension is
accompanied by a medical certificate.
 Overseas travel is not an acceptable reason for seeking a change in the examination schedule.
 Only the Head of School can grant approval for extension of submission beyond the assignment deadline.
 Re-submission of work can only receive a 50% maximum pass rate.
 Supplementary exams can only be granted if the level of work is satisfactory AND the semester work has
been completed.
 Harvard referencing and plagiarism policy will apply on all written assignments.

2.0 SPECIFIC MODULE INFORMATION

 Attendance rate of 80% is mandatory for passing module.
 All grades are subject to attendance and participation.
 Absenteeism at any scheduled presentations will result in zero mark for that presentation.
 Visual presentation work in drawn and model form must be the original work of the student.
 The attached semester program is subject to change at short notice.

3.0 MODULE RULES AND REGULATIONS:

Assessment procedure:
 These rules and regulations are to be read in conjunction with the UNIT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
 All assignments/projects must be completed and presented for marking by the due date.
 Marks will be deducted for late work and invalid reasons.
 All assignments must be delivered by the student in person to the lecturer concerned. No other lecturer is
allowed to accept students’ assignments.
 All tests/examinations are compulsory.
 Students must sit the test/examination on the notified date.
 Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the test/examination timetable.
 Students who miss a test/examination will not be allowed to pass.
 Any scheduling of tutorials, both during or after lecture hours, is TOTALLY the responsibility of each student.
Appointments are to be proposed, arranged, confirmed, and kept, by each student. Failure to do so in a
professional manner may result in penalty of grades. Tutorials WITHOUT appointments will also NOT be
entertained.
 Note that every assignment is given an ample time frame for completion. This, together with advanced
information pertaining deadlines gives you NO EXCUSE not to submit assignments on time.

4.0 GRADES

All modules and assessable projects will be graded according to the following system. With respect to those
units that are designated 'Approved for Pass/Fail' the grade will be either PX or F:

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
 New Grading
Grade Numeric Grade Description

80 – 100 A Pass with Distinction

75 – 79 A-

70 – 74 B+
65 – 69 B Pass with Credit
60 – 64 B-

55 – 59 C+
50 – 54 C Pass
45 – 59 C-
40 – 44 D, PX, PC

0 – 39 F Fail

EXP Exempted
PC Pass Conceded
PP Pass Provisional with extra work needed
PX Pass after extra work is given and passed
X Ineligible for assessment due to unsatisfactory attendance
D Deferred
W Withdraw
DNA Did Not Attend Module
DNC Did Not Complete Module

5.0 PLAGIARISM, COPYRIGHT, PATENTS, OWNERSHIP OF WORK: STUDENT MAJOR PROJECT, THESES
& WORKS
See LIMKOKWING, HIGH FLYERS HANDOUT, pg 10.

6.0 MODULE INTRODUCTION

Critical Thinking is defined as “…mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker
improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structure inherent in thinking and
imposing intellectual standards upon them”.

It is a “self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to

rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and
problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism”

(taken from The Foundation of Critical Thinking (http://www.criticalthinking.org)

This module is designed to introduce to students the processes of critical thinking and problem solving, by
actively and skillfully evaluate information and conceptualize a solution, using observation, experience,
reflection, reasoning and communication.

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
7.0 MODULE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
In this course, students will be:
1) Provided with a solid and practical foundation to accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics,
questions and so on.
2) Provided with case studies and examples where students can build upon on their comprehension skills
(identify issue, distinguish between clarification, argument, persuasion, identify difference between
conclusions, and the arguments, as well as differences between factual judgements and non-factual
judgments)
3) Provided with case studies and examples where students can build upon on their reasoning skills
(distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning, between logic and truth, determine whether a
consideration is relevant, recognize questionable assumption and missing information, evaluate credibility
of statements and sources, and identify ambiguity, vagueness, and common fallacies in reasoning)

8.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this course, student will be able to:

1) Demonstrate an increased ability to explain an issue or problem comprehensively.

2) Demonstrate an increased ability to employ evidence/information in conducting comprehensive analysis of
an issue or problem
3) Demonstrate an increased ability to analyze contents when presenting a position or an issue or problem
4) Demonstrate an increased ability to describe her/his perspectives along with those of others associated with
the situation
5) Demonstrate an increased ability to formulate a thesis/hypothesis into account the complexity of an issue
or problem
6) Demonstrate an increased ability to draw logical conclusions and implications from the analysis of an issue
or problem
7) Identify relevant arguments (claims, reasons, pro and cons)
8) Analyze and evaluates alternative points of view
9) Fair-mindedly follows where evidence and reason lead.

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
9.0 SPECIFIC GENERIC LEARNING SKILLS
Students will acquire the following skills:

1) Judgment Skills – Students can self-evaluate their own strength and weakness, challenge and receive
opinions and develop criteria and judgment
2) Manage Information – Students can manage information, collect appropriate data from a range of sources
and undertake simple research with external guidance
3) Autonomy – Students can take responsibility for own learning with minimum direction
4) Communication – Students can communicate effectively in a format appropriate to the discipline and report
in a clear and concise manner.
5) Team work – Students can effectively work with others as a member of a group and meet obligations to
others.

10.0 UNIT SYLLABUS + LECTURE OUTLINE:

WEEK: 1
MODULE INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

 What is thinking?
 Types of thinking
 What is critical thinking?
 Critical Thinking standards
 Benefits of Critical Thinking
 Barriers of Critical Thinking
 Characteristics of Critical Thinkers

Class handout
Class tutorial/activities

WEEK: 2
CHAPTER 2: RECOGNIZING ARGUMENTS

 What is an argument?
 Identifying Premises and Conclusions
 What is NOT an argument?
 Reports
 Unsupported assertions
 Conditional statements
 Illustrations
 Explanations

Class handout
Class tutorial/activities

WEEK: 3
CHAPTER 3: BASIC LOGICAL CONCEPTS
 Deduction and Induction
 How can we tell whether an Argument is Deductive or Inductive?
 Common patterns of Deductive Reasoning
 Common patterns of Deductive Reasoning
 Deductive Validity
 Inductive Strength

Class handout
Class tutorial/activities

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
 WEEK: 4
CHAPTER 4: LANGUAGE
 Finding the right words: The need for precision
 The importance of Precise Definition
 Emotive Language: Slanting the truth
 Euphemisms and Political Correctness

Class handout
Class tutorial/activities

WEEK: 5
CHAPTER 5: LOGICAL FALLACY (FALLACY OF RELEVANCE & FALLACY OF INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE)

• The concept of relevance

• Fallacies of relevance
– Personal attack (ad hominem)
– Attacking the motive
– Look who is talking (to quoque)
– Two wrongs make a right
– Scare tactics
– Appeal to pity
– Bandwagon argument
– Straw man
– Red herring
– Equivocation
– Begging the question

• Fallacies of insufficient evidence

– Inappropriate appeal to authority
– Appeal to ignorance
– False alternative
– Loaded questions
– Questionable cause
– Hasty generalization
– Slippery slope
– Weak analogy
– Inconsistency

Class Handout
Class Discussion

WEEK: 6
CHAPTER 6: ANALYZING ARGUMENTS, EVALUATING ARGUMENTS AND TRUTH CLAIMS

 Diagramming short arguments

 Summarizing longer arguments
 Paraphrasing
 Finding missing premises and conclusions
 Common mistakes to avoid
 When is an argument a good one?
 The meaning of good arguments

 When is it reasonable to accept a premise

 Refuting arguments

Class Handout
Class Discussion

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
 WEEK: 7
CHAPTER 7: A LITTLE LOGIC (CATEGORICAL AND PROPOSITIONAL)
 Categorical statements
 Categorical syllogisms
 Conjunction
 Conjunction and validity

Class Handout
Class Tutorial/Activities

WEEK 8 AND 9: MID TERM EXAMINATION

DECEMBER HOLIDAY BREAK READING ASSIGNMENT - WRITING ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

 Writing a successful argument
 Before you write
 Know yourself, know your audience
 Choose and narrow your topic
 Write a sentence that expresses your claim
 Gather ideas, organize your ideas
 Organize by methods of development
 Writing the first draft
 Provide an interesting Opening
 Include a thesis statement
 Develop your body paragraphs
 Provide a satisfying conclusion
 After the first draft
 Read what you have written and revise
 Consider what you have not written and revise
 Show your work
 Edit your work
 Hand it in

WEEK: 10
CHAPTER 8: INDUCTIVE REASONING
 Introduction to induction
 Inductive generalization
 Evaluating inductive generalization
 Statistical arguments
 Induction and analogy
 What is an analogy?
 How can we argue by analogy?
 Evaluating analogy from arguments
 Induction and causal arguments
 Correlation and cause

Class Handout
Class Tutorial/Activities

ASSIGNMENT 1 SUBMISSION

WEEK: 11
CHAPTER 9: FINDING, EVALUATING AND USING SOURCES
 Finding sources
 Refining search
 Directional information
7

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
  Informational sources
 Evaluating sources
 Contents: facts and everything else
 The Author and the Publisher
 The Audience
 Evaluating internet source
 Taking notes
 Bibliography information
 Contents Notes: quotes, summaries and paraphrases
 Using sources
 Acknowledging sources
 Incorporating sources

Class Handout
Class Tutorial/Activities

WEEK: 12
CHAPTER 10: THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE MEDIA
 The Mass Media
 The News Media
 The importance of concept
 What really drives the media
 The news as entertainment
 How the media entertain us
 Slanting the news
 Media literacy
 Advertising
 What ads do?
 Defenses of advertising
 Criticism of advertising
 Common advertising ploys

Class Handout
Class Discussion

Week: 13

WORKSHOP \ DRY RUN OF DEBATE SESSION

Week: 14

ACTUAL SESSION: DEBATE (ASSIGNMENT 2)

Week: 15

STUDY WEEK \ REVISION SESSION

Week: 16 - 17

FINAL EXAMINATION

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
11.0 REFERENCES
 Bassham, G., William, I., Nardone, H., Wallace, J. (2010). Critical Thinking: A Student Perception. New York
Citi, NY:Mc-Graw Hill.
 Moore, B., Parker, R. (2009). Critical Thinking 9th Edition. New York Citi, NY:Mc-Graw Hill.
 Waller, B. ( 2012), Critical Thinking: Consider the Verdict. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Pearson Education, Inc.

12.0 READING LISTS

http://www.criticalthinking.org/

13.0 ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

Assessment description Issue date Due date %

Assignment 1 (Individual) - Essay Week 5 Week 10 20%

Assignment 2 (Group) - Debate Week 6 Week 13 20%

Mid Term Week 8 and 9 20%

Final Exam Week 16 Week 18 40%

TOTAL 100%

14.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Coursework: Assignment 1 (Individual) : 20%

Assignment 2 (Group) : 20%
Midterm Test : 20%
Examination: Final Examination : 40%

Students must SUBMIT and PASS both; coursework and examinations in order to PASS the module.

15.0 LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Students will have several in-class exercises during the course of the semester to reinforce the material covered
in lecture. For instance, students will be given an example, case-study, or topics for discussion

On successful completion of the tutorials, exercises, case studies, and discussions, the students can expect to
complete their major assignment without any hassle.

16.0 SPECIFIC CRITERIA

 All assignments needing citation must follow the following style

http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/files/Harvard_referencing.pdf

R 01 - 06121 2 All Rights Reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced without written approval from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology