THINKING

CRITICALLY,

THINKING

ACADEMICALLY

Chris McMillan, Academic Skills Adviser

chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk

What does it mean to

think critically?

Moving from remembering, recording and

describing information to analysing, evaluating and

synthesising knowledge

Being critical

Describing Analysing and

Evaluating

Critical thinking is a questioning attitude, rather than a

set of skills

Independent and active learning is essential at university

The ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise is vital to producing high quality academic work

Reasoning and analysis skills are highly valued by employers

Need to be able to think for yourself and make independent judgements

Universities have a vital role in democratic societies

Having a critical identity makes you a more interesting person!

Why is it important to think critically?

Universities act as the ‘critic and conscience of society’

More than producing skilled graduates, democratic societies require critical consumers of information to hold those in authority to account

University scholar’s seek to move beyond describing what is known to analysing and evaluating what is claimed as knowledge

Critical Thinking at University

“I like straightforward classes where there

are not a lot of different ideas for the

same thing. I just want to know the facts”

From Moon (2005)

1

“Everybody has the right to their own

opinion and ideas. Who am I do decide

what is right and wrong”

2

“I like arguing about competing ideas and

coming to my own conclusion”

3

From description to

critique

When was Brunel University founded?

Critique

What were the conditions that led to Brunel

becoming a university?

What are the factors that have influenced Brunel’s

development since 1966?

What are the current pressures influencing the

University’s development and how could it best

respond to these pressures?

How many people are likely to die from the effects of climate change?

?

The Internet and Truth

Which of these is true?

Derek "The Slipper Man" Fan holds the Guinness

World Records record for wearing a pair of dress

slippers for 23 years straight as of June 30,

2007.[2]

The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The

Wizard of Oz sold for a record $165,000.[3]

Write for one minute on whether you are an independent thinker in your life and at university.

Is it something you find difficult, or does it come naturally?

Are you critical?

Being critical in the social sciences

Questioning the world

around you

Being an active and

sceptical participant

Asking ‘Why’, ‘How’ and

‘How do we know’ rather

than describing what

Methods vs. Theory

Studying in the social sciences produces different ways of being critical

Different disciplines use different frameworks to ask and answer research questions

Methodological assumptions

Theoretical frameworks

Different ways of asking questions produce different answers

Asking the right questions

"Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offense in New Zealand?“

Should cannibalism, as part of a good diet, be a criminal offense in New Zealand?

“Should physically assaulting a child be a criminal offense in New Zealand?”

What are the main assumptions made about children’s behaviour and modes of learning that are being made in this debate?

How is physical discipline being represented in ‘criminal’ drama shows?

Critical Life: One-Minute Essay

Complete the sentence: ‘I never understand why

people…’ on one of the post-it notes provided

Pass these notes around the class until you have lost

track of their source

Answer this questions:

How could we investigate this question?

Summary

Don’t describe – critique, analyse, argue

Know how to think rather than remembering

This is the purpose, and value, of a degree in social sciences

Each discipline has its own tools for asking and answering research questions

Next Week

Critical reading and notemaking

Need more help?

Make an appointment with ASK:

Monday- Friday 1-3 pm

Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5-6 pm

Email: ask@brunel.ac.uk or chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk