Critical thinking programs should explore both practical and academic problems, including problems without "correct" answers. The year-long "Intelligence Applied" program avoids common critical thinking program pitfalls and covers intelligence theories, intellectual and experiential skills, techniques for everyday application,…

Discusses the use of tabloid newspapers in the teaching of human sexuality. Suggests that many people obtain sex information from such publications. Explains how research projects using the papers were organized. Describes advantages and disadvantages and student reactions to the assignment. Includes an appendix containing example bibliographies.…

Describes an undergraduate course in psychology that addresses concepts relating to women's mental health. Explains that the course emphasizes the impact of social variables on mental health issues for women. Includes a list of topics and student activities for the course. Presents student reactions and assessment. (DK)

Uses the judicial model of reasoning employed by the Supreme Court as an exemplar in teaching critical skills in the basic argumentation and debate course. Describes the model and course highlights. (PD)

Guidelines are provided for the development of a community college course in critical thinking. The first sections offer an overview of the nature and basic concepts of critical thinking, indicating that: (1) the skills developed in critical thinking classes include the ability to formulate a clear statement of a thesis or problem, evaluate…

The subject matter social studies teachers choose to have students think critically about is very important. Appropriate types of material--such as excerpts from primary sources--are provided as an illustration. Also included are 10 key critical thinking questions that teachers can use to generate class discussion of the excerpts. (RM)

Discusses the nature of social studies. Suggests that the National Council for the Social Studies seems dysfunctional because it aspires to be apolitical in a field that is inherently political. Concludes that social education will continue to reflect the structure of society and the values of people who control the educational process. (DK)

Offers guidelines for the assessment of critical thinking ability, suggesting that assessment be integral to learning, involve a range of behaviors, emphasize expected course, program, or institutional outcomes, incorporate structured feedback and an external dimension, and be cumulative. Lists steps in developing an assessment plan. (DMM)

Outlines a model of instruction that uses Marvin Olsen's reconceptualization of sociology as "sociological practice" to integrate sociological practice into traditional courses. States that this approach helps students gain a critical perspective and overcome personal and cultural ideological constraints in dealing with real issues…

Defines critical thinking and its relationship to knowledge, intellectual discipline, and intellectual values. Identifies elements and domains of thought and traits of mind that should be cultivated in students. Offers guidelines on teaching for critical thinking and on incorporating critical thinking in the curriculum. (DMM)

Suggests a process for incorporating critical thinking into social science courses. Explains preparatory steps (e.g., learning how to teach thinking and redesigning courses to include discipline-specific and core thinking skills). Recommends ways of reworking lectures, demonstrations, discussions, experiential learning, and assignments to address…

Outlines 10 basic principles for teaching introductory sociology. Argues students must understand fundamental sociological metaconcepts that distinguish the sociological construction of society. Wishes to undermine implicit ethnocentrism and encourage tolerance as an alternative. Suggests sociological perspective is needed to solve social…

Teaching critical thinking is difficult in elementary music instruction because of the limited time devoted to music; yet it must be considered a vital part of music instruction, as students must not only become knowledgeable about music, but should also learn to think intelligently about music. Recommendations for the content of elementary music…

Designed to assist California community college personnel in implementing 1986 regulations concerning associate degree requirements, this paper analyzes the key terms in the new policy, "college level" and "critical thinking," and discusses practical implications for assessment, curriculum, and instruction. First, the paper…

Two instructors at Bunker Hill Community College in Massachusetts have developed a unit of study designed to teach biology as a process, improve students' critical thinking and reasoning skills, and provide students with the opportunity to express these skills in writing. The instructional strategies employed in the unit are superimposed on a…