Critical Thinking G (12032.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Critical Thinking G
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra Business School Graduate Level Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Critical analytical skills are essential for problem solving and are valued as graduate attributes. Critical thinking is a very different mental activity than regurgitating what has been learned. One key aim of Western education is to produce learning students who are habitual questioners and arrive at their own opinions through higher-order thinking. In this unit, students are challenged to develop the skills involved in analysing, creating and evaluating argument. This unit introduces students to different methods of critical thinking through the history of Western thought and philosophy that underline many traditions of modern Western scholarship. Postgraduate students will be prepared for future study by developing skills in reasoning and argument.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Critique and communicate complex philosophical propositions;
2. Deconstruct and evaluate different viewpoints and reasoning;
3. Construct a sound argument using appropriate evidence and clear and effective language; and
4. Determine the role of argument in a range of philosophical traditions.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways


Skills development

This unit introduces students to different methods of critical thinking that promote clear thinking, improve analytic capabilities and foster problem-solving skills. A wide variety of material is studied to develop the ability to ask the right questions, think and argue logically, and present persuasive arguments with the expectation that students become critical thinkers throughout their university studies and later in life as professionals. Postgraduate students will be prepared for future study by developing skills in reasoning and argument.



Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

10352 Introduction to Critical Thinking G (UCC)

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Textbook:
Browne, M. N., & Keeley, S. M. (2017).  Asking the right questions: A guide to critical thinking. (12th edition),Pearson Education Limited, England.

Bassham, G., Irwin, W., Nardone, H., Wallace, J.M. (2023). Critical Thinking – A Student's Introduction, (7th edition), McGraw-Hill, New York.

Useful readings to help you include:
Bowell, T., and G. Kemp (2015). Critical Thinking: A concise guide . (4th ed). London: Routledge.
Corradini, A. (2010). Emergence in Science and Philosophy . Hoboken: Taylor & Francis.
Stuhr, J. J. (2010). 100 Years of Pragmatism : William James's revolutionary philosophy. Bloomington:Indiana University Press.
Thompson, A. (1996). Critical Reasoning: A practical introduction (3rd Ed). London: Routledge.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Assessment items must be submitted to the assignment area in the UCLearn teaching site, relating to that piece of assessment. It is the student's responsibility to upload the correct and corresponding draft or assessment item, to the right submission section.

Special assessment requirements

In addition to all other Assessment Requirements student must attempt all assessment items and obtain an overall score of 50% or more to pass this unit.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Scheduled hours per teaching period Personal study hours Total workload hours
36 84 120

Participation requirements

Requirements to pass
To pass this unit you MUST

  • achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% or more
  • attempt ALL assessment items in your option

Class attandance is strongly recommended. Attendance will be taken at all tutorial classes.

Required IT skills

Basic Microsoft Word, Powerpoint processing skills and ability to access the internet.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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