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.
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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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
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.
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:
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.
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 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
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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
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