1. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking – total approach to understand how you make sense of the world
Knowledgeable understanding of a very complex world
Reach the best possible conclusions and decisions
Expert learner, view the world clearly, make productive choices to shape your life
Critical thinker – qualities
Thinking actively empowers you to become involved, take initiative, follow through and take responsibility for decisions
Influences on your thinking
T.V.?
Active learner – active thinking
Learn something new – incorporate into existing data

2. Critical thinking
Exploring situations with appropriate penetrating questions
Six categories
Henry Smith married 150 women in the course of 10 years. He was never arrested for bigamy although each marriage was witnessed and recorded with the proper authorities. Why?
Important to listen to others – see different viewpoints – but think independently
Thinking independently
Answer questions – reveal how your mind works
Shaped by – family, teachers, friends, religious leaders, books, television, Internet, experiences
Why? Do you believe something

3. Critical thinking
Evaluating your beliefs – strength and accuracy of reasons and evidence to support beliefs
Authorities – knowledgeable, reliable
References – credentials
Factual evidence – source and foundation
Personal experience – circumstances
Balance – what is best for you and what is best for all involved
Different perspectives

4. What do you see?

6. How about now?

7. What do you see?

8. Critical thinking Others – good ideas – learn and benefit
Important issues – one viewpoint – not adequate
Flexible – open to new ideas, continue to grow
Need to reinforce views with reasons and evidence
Back up your ideas – why you believe it
Thinking actively – listen and discuss ideas in organized manner within social context
No single viewpoint is adequate – our own 'lenses'
Listen carefully – try to understand
Effective dialogue – respond directly
Asking questions – reveals reasons and evidence
Increasing understanding – main purpose
Total approach – lifelong process

9. Critical thinking exercises
What day follows the day before yesterday if 2 days from now will be Sunday?
A caterpillar has to climb up a muddy wall of a well that is 12 feet deep. Each day the caterpillar advances 4 feet, but each night as he sleeps, he slips back 2 feet. How may days will it take him to get out?
Juan has three separate large boxes. Inside each large box are two separate medium-sized boxes, and inside each of the medium boxes are four small boxes. How many boxes does Juan have altogether?

10. Assign #3: Time line activity – 1-week log – on back – summary and opinion (due 1/21)‏
Assign #4: Commercial that you find effective – describe it and tell why you feel that it is effective - ½ to 1 page (due 1/21).
Assign #E2: ½ page – on campus event – your choice – (due 3/9).
Assign #5: print last page – (due 1/21).
Assign #6: 2-4 minute talk – narrative about you – who you are – where from, grow up, family, friends, high school, significant other, how did you get here, culture, etc.