Unit Outline

This unit teaches the fundamentals of critical thinking, with particular focus on applications in the health-care sector. You will learn how to construct, analyse, and critically evaluate arguments; how to reason logically and well; and how to communicate your thoughts clearly and effectively. You will learn practical techniques for the evaluation of reasoning, and apply these techniques with fellow students to explore topics and arguments from health-care, academia, and the popular media. The skills you acquire in this unit will be invaluable, not just across academic disciplines, but more broadly for leading a life enriched by critical thinking.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Explain the principles of critical thinking and their applications to the health-care sector.
2	Analyse the structure of reasoning across both academic and health-care contexts.
3	Critically evaluate the use of different types of reasoning and decision-making in health-care and other contexts.
4	Defend your own positions and decisions using clear and effective writing.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The content on argument standardisation and diagramming has been simplified.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Written Argument	Week 7	20 %	LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Take Home Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Written Argument

Task Description:

For this assignment, you will use argument mapping techniques to help write a short argumentative text. This will help you develop your skills at presenting your reasoning clearly and convincingly. Further details will be available on the unit website closer to the due date.

Task Length:

700-800 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify the conclusions and premises of your argument using argument signposts.	LO2, LO4
2	Structure arguments, subarguments, objections, counter considerations, and/or counter arguments so that they are clear.	LO4
3	Analyse your argument using a standardisation or diagram.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Portfolio

Task Description:

Over the semester, you will submit 4 portfolio entries. For the first three, you will be given explicit instructions, and they will be due in weeks 4, 10, and 12. For the last entry, you need to collect together and submit your three best contributions to the weekly discussion boards. This will be due in Week 13. Further details will be available on the unit website closer to the due date.

Task Length:

1250 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Recognise various argument types and techniques in health-care or other contexts	LO2
2	Apply appropriate tools that have been developed in the unit.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Take Home Exam

Task Description:

Take-Home Exam - In this assignment you will put all of the skills you have learned to work by answering questions relating to all parts of the unit. This is a take-home exam that is submitted through MyLO. Further details will be available on the unit website closer to the due date.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the principles of critical thinking and their applications to the health-care sector.	LO1
2	Analyse the structure of reasoning across both academic and health-care contexts.	LO2
3	Evaluate the use of different types of reasoning and decision-making in healthcare and other contexts.	LO3
4	Communicate your own reasoning clearly and effectively.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.