Applied Critical Thinking
6 Credits (ECTS)
Applied Critical Thinking
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
€280 refund on this module
Module Description
Thoughts are with us all the time, it is not easy to switch off one’s thoughts since every waking moment human beings are going through a thinking process.
Thoughts can be constructive and destructive, thoughts can drive us on how we act, therefore learning how to control and sift through thought is important for everyone especially a person in a managerial position.
Therefore understanding the way one thinks and the way one organises thoughts is crucial to be able to do informed organised decision and to solve problems effectively.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess:
- a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent in any subject)
AND
- a pass in English* and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent).
Preference is given to applicants having a year of work experience related to the field of study.
*Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at people who wish to have a thorough background in management in order to progress further in their careers, such as:
- Supervisors
- Coordinators
- Assistant Managers
- Junior Managers
- Middle Managers
- Project Coordinators/ Project Managers
The target group can also be extended to groups that have significant management experience but lack a formal qualification, such as managing directors and officers.
Module / Unit Instructions
The proposed structure comprises a blended approach promoting the building of a community of practice via peer-to-peer learning. The structure uses primarily two dimensions of teaching-learning modes:
1. Face-to-face sessions: 18 hours
2. Online Learning Activities: 12 hours
Face to Face sessions
Face-to-face sessions include lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and workshop activities promoting peer-to-peer learning.
Online Learning Activities
Online learning activities incorporate tutorials and asynchronous discussions. These may consist of active interaction, participation and contributions in fora discussions, sharing resources and self-reflection exercises.
Learners also contribute to the building of the community of practice by providing feedback to their peers as critical friends, enhancing the learner’s critical engagement throughout the study period.
The tutor provides continual support during both teaching -learning modes by providing information, readings and tasks relevant to the module in question.
The tutor provides continuous formative feedback as an on-going guidance during the student’s learning experience in preparation for their summative assessment.
How you’ll be assessed
Assessment of each module consists of two assignments, each carrying a weighting as below:
a) One Formative assignment carries 20% of total module mark achieved. b) One Summative assignment carries 80% of total module mark achieved.
For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 41% pass mark in both the formative and the summative assignment.
The overall grade achieved for each module is calculated as the sum of: · 20% of the mark achieved for formative assignment; and · 80% of the mark achieved for the summative assignment.
All assignment tasks of both formative and summative assessment aim to provide the learner an opportunity to produce evidence of his/her competences aligned to the learning outcomes of each individual Module.
Assessment
a) Formative assessment tasks are provided in the form of structured online discussions that support learners in their development throughout all of the modules studied.
Such discussions are facilitated and monitored by lecturer who provides students with constructive feedback to help them improve and prepare for summative assignment and dissertation.
For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 41% pass mark in the formative assignment.
Formative assessment tasks will contribute to the student’s final mark to acknowledge their work and give chance to improve.
This method allows students to also contribute to the building of the community of practice by providing feedback to their peers as critical friends, enhancing the learner’s critical engagement throughout the study period.
b) Summative assessment is done via one assignment at the end of each module. The mode of assessment varies and may include in-class assignments, and home-based written assignments.
The assessment tools for this module are presentations or essay titles.
Word count range: 1500 ± 10%
For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 41% pass mark in summative assignment.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Additional Info
Reading for the entire Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Management as presented in this brochure costs €9,000.*
The cost for the different exit points is as follows:
- Certificate in Business Management : €2,000
- Diploma in Business Management: €4,000
- Higher Diploma in Business Management: €6,000
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for a 70% refund of the cost through the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Determine the attitudes and skills required to think critically.
- Evaluate a given situation and determine the way critical thinking improves own execution of the task.
- Appraise own thoughts to ensure that the decision to be taken in ethical and moral.
- Build own critical thinking skills to enhance own ability at problem solving and decision making.
- Work more effectively with information and interpret it accurately.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Introduction to Critical Thinking.
- The Tools and Processes of Thinking.
- Familiarisation with Thinking Skills.
- Structure of Thinking and Arguments.
- Methods and Execution of Problem Solving.
- Ethics and Morality.
- Theories of the Great Greek Thinkers with regards to critical thinkers.
- The Traditionalist.
- Virtue Ethics.
- Critical Thinking Skills.
- From Critical to Creative Thinking.
- Mind Mapping.
- Brain Awareness in relation to Critical Thinking.
- The Power of Thought – Language and Thought.
- The Roles of Emotions in Thinking.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Use the 4 level of thought when faced with a business situation that requires a decision.
- Practice critical thinking to improve and enhance own thinking skills.
- Follow an established thinking process to critically evaluate a situation or decision.
- Employ virtue as a tool for success in life.
- Formulate own thoughts to have a clear picture and remove clutter.
- Practice in brainstorming activities for a creative flow of thoughts.
- Use a mind map as an organisational thinking tool.
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
The learner will be able to:
- Identify the different types of thinking that one goes through in a given situation.
- Assess own thought to determine the way tradition impinges on the thinking process.
- Examine own self to become more familiar with own potentials and weaknesses.
- Evaluating evidence for and from alternative points of view.
- Recognise techniques used to add persuasive force in an argument.
- Determine the relationship between language and thought.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Define the term critical thinking and its importance as a skill in management.
- Illustrate the way the theories of the great Greek critical thinkers still apply and are relevant today.
- Explain the way good critical thinking skills can benefit one in a management position.
- Present a point of view in a convincing way to win a debate, argument or discussion.
- Explain the difference between data and information and how both aid in forming informed organised critical thinking.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to benefit from assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.