Cottrell, Stella Critical Thinking Skills: developing effective analysis and argument (Palgrave, 2011).
Van den Brink-Budgen, Roy Critical Thinking for Students (How to Books, 1996).
Fisher, Alec Critical Thinking: an Introduction (CUP, 2011).
Thompson, Anne Critical Reasoning: a practical introduction (Routledge, 2009).

Blackboard, online library resources.

An essential part of any humanities or social sciences degree will be the ability to form and evaluate arguments. This module will introduce the principles of sound reasoning, including

1. An understanding of informal logic.
2. Recognition of common fallacies.
3. The making explicit of assumptions and understanding the limits of conclusions.
4. The accumulation and evaluation of evidence (including statistical evidence).

This understanding will be made practical through a series of exercises and examples.

The Blackboard learning environment will be used throughout. For each topic there will be a set of initial explanatory materials, a set of examples, perhaps some explanatory readings, and a series of exercises to be pursued on the discussion forum. Students will be required to identify and analyse examples of their own on the discussion forum, and discuss examples posted by others. Contributions to this forum are assessed as to quantity, relevance, consistency, clarity and critical acumen. The course will end with an on-line test using the test feature on Blackboard, which will randomise questions from a master list. This will allow students to take the test at different times, without compromising its effectiveness as an individual assessment instrument. The test will comprise further exercises, texts or case studies with respect to which students can demonstrate their abilities.

Key Information Set Data:
16% scheduled learning and teaching activities
84% guided independent learning

50% online participation and discussion
50% online test
[Learning Outcomes 1-3]

Key Information Set Data:
50% coursework
50% exams