Students
PHIL1037 – Critical Thinking
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convener, Lecturer
Albert Atkin
TBC
Convener
Jennifer Duke-Yonge
TBC
Convener
Alexander Gillett
TBC
Alexander Gillett
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| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit aims to teach the fundamentals of critical thinking and reasoning. Students learn how to construct, analyse and critically evaluate arguments; how to detect common fallacies in reasoning; and how to think logically and creatively. We teach these skills by developing practical techniques for the evaluation of reasoning, and applying them to arguments from business, law, science, politics, philosophy and the media. Critical thinking skills are invaluable across all disciplines, and will benefit students in academic contexts and in life beyond university.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Recognise the structure of arguments, and represent that structure in a clear standardised form.
- ULO2: Differentiate between types of reasoning and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each.
- ULO3: Appraise the arguments of others and represent them in a clear and standardised form.
- ULO4: Construct well-reasoned arguments of their own.
- ULO5: Apply the skills of critical analysis to arguments from a variety of contexts and disciplines.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quiz One | 10% | No | End of Week 4 |
| Personal Argument | 25% | No | End of Week 6 |
| Peer Review | 10% | No | End of Week 8 |
| Online Quiz Two | 10% | No | End of Week 12 |
| Final Scenario Report | 35% | No | End of Week 13 |
| Online Engagement | 10% | No | Ongoing |
Online Quiz One
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: End of Week 4
Weighting: 10%
An online multiple-choice quiz which you will take through the unit website. You should be able to complete the quiz in around 30 minutes, but an hour is allocated to accommodate those who may need extra time for whatever reason.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the structure of arguments, and represent that structure in a clear standardised form.
- Differentiate between types of reasoning and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each.
- Apply the skills of critical analysis to arguments from a variety of contexts and disciplines.
Personal Argument
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: End of Week 6
Weighting: 25%
A short piece of reflective writing which you will use to standardise a short argument representing your own views on a socially significant issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the structure of arguments, and represent that structure in a clear standardised form.
- Differentiate between types of reasoning and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each.
- Construct well-reasoned arguments of their own.
- Apply the skills of critical analysis to arguments from a variety of contexts and disciplines.
Peer Review
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: End of Week 8
Weighting: 10%
You will review the anonymised arguments (from the Personal Argument assignment) of five of your fellow students. You will answer a series of multiple choice questions about each of these arguments, and give a short comment on each paper. Your mark will be determined by how well you review fits with those of your peers and online tutors.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Appraise the arguments of others and represent them in a clear and standardised form.
- Apply the skills of critical analysis to arguments from a variety of contexts and disciplines.
Online Quiz Two
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: End of Week 12
Weighting: 10%
An online multiple-choice quiz which you will take through the unit website. You should be able to complete the quiz in around 30 minutes, but an hour is allocated to accommodate those who may need extra time for whatever reason.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Differentiate between types of reasoning and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each.
- Construct well-reasoned arguments of their own.
Final Scenario Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: End of Week 13
Weighting: 35%
The Final Scenario Report assignment requires you use all the skills you have acquired throughout the course from Topics 1-12 to write a report analysing an argument and providing guidance and material for a counter-response.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the structure of arguments, and represent that structure in a clear standardised form.
- Differentiate between types of reasoning and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each.
- Appraise the arguments of others and represent them in a clear and standardised form.
- Construct well-reasoned arguments of their own.
- Apply the skills of critical analysis to arguments from a variety of contexts and disciplines.
Online Engagement
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Students will review their understanding of particular topics by taking short online “self assessment” tasks. When students have reached a sufficient level of understanding on these tasks they will gain access to an online podcast which they should listen to, and engage with through comment and discussion in a related online forum.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the structure of arguments, and represent that structure in a clear standardised form.
- Differentiate between types of reasoning and the methods of evaluation appropriate to each.
- Appraise the arguments of others and represent them in a clear and standardised form.
- Construct well-reasoned arguments of their own.
- Apply the skills of critical analysis to arguments from a variety of contexts and disciplines.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures
For lecture times for the purpose of Live Streaming, please consult the MQ Timetable website: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2021/. This website will display up-to-date information on your class times.
Online - Participation
You will be assigned to online participation groups and assigned with an On-line leader. You will be expected to use self-assessments for understanding and contribute to your online group about assigned material. This will all be made available to you through the course web-site.
Lecture Recordings and Live Streaming
Lectures in this unit will be live streamed, which will allow you to participate in real time if you are part of the Virtual/Online Offering. They will also be recorded for later viewing by anyone enrolled in the course, regardless of the mode of offering. For more information about lecture recordings and live streaming, see:
Unit Webpages and E-Resources
This course has many resources including notes, practice quizes, your tests, submission boxes, recordings of lectures for download, all available and accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
Course Texts
The Course Notes available through the PHIL/PHIX 1037 ilearn site constitute a text for the course. No other text is required. If you would like advice on supplementary texts, contact the convenor.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook