Critical Thinking and Communication
10 Credits (ECTS)
Critical Thinking and Communication
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Module Description
Critical thinking and communication are 21st Century Skills, necessary for individuals in general and most essential in academic studies, particularly when reading, writing, and working with peers or professionals. Critical thinking affects the way information is sourced, generated, and gathered ensuring clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, validity, depth, breadth, and ethical considerations.
Critical thinking requires that students examine and evaluate ideas against what they already know to establish their worthiness. When students think critically, they can consider an argument from different perspectives and identify and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
This unit will help students face the difficult aspect of understanding “what constitutes an argument”, to identify assumptions and beliefs in any piece of writing, incorporating, and evaluating information. It will also help students to use this skill to review academic texts and to spot the strengths and weaknesses of published work.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course (which does not lead to a regulated profession) will possess:
- A qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent in any subject) and a pass in English Language* and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent).
- In the case of students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning is found then the applicant could still be accepted on the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA College, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.
*Students whose first language is not English and do not possess an ‘O’ level pass in English Language will be required to demonstrate English language capability through certifications such as IELTS certificate with a score of 6.0 or OET with a minimum score of B in speaking and at least C+ in listening, reading and writing.
Target Audience
- Individuals aspiring to build fundamental knowledge and skills in Management as part of a first-cycle (undergraduate) degree.
- Individuals aiming to pursue diverse career paths in areas such as business administration, marketing, human resource management, operations, entrepreneurship, and project management.
- Individuals seeking employment or career progression in sectors including private enterprise, public administration, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), retail, finance, hospitality, and emerging industries.
- Individuals interested in developing transferable skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, which are applicable across multiple professional contexts.
Career Paths
This programme does not lead directly to a regulated profession. However, it equips graduates with the academic background and practical competencies required to pursue professional development opportunities.
The possible positions for which this programme aims to prepare, are middle-management to senior posts such as: Manager / Senior Manager / Head of Department / Director etc., of any organisation both in the private and public sector.
The programme also provides a foundation for further studies at postgraduate level in management or related disciplines.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Define what constitutes critical thinking.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches to Critical Thinking.
- Evaluate arguments coherently.
- Make use of academic evidence to produce coherent arguments.
- Appraise texts for bias.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Define what constitutes critical thinking.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches to Critical Thinking.
- Evaluate arguments coherently.
- Make use of academic evidence to produce coherent arguments.
- Appraise texts for bias.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Offer different perspectives to an argument.
- Differentiate between ordinary and critical thinking.
- Draw logical conclusions.
- Apply flexible thinking strategies.
- Correct one’s own self-thinking patterns.
- Question and test information.
- Evaluate the various components of problems and their complexities
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Analyse problems and/or arguments.
- Provide supporting evidence when evaluating arguments.
- Test the validity of assumptions and suppositions.
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
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.