For our DR2 Assignment, please reread pages 1-5 of Chapter 1 in our Patterson textbook (the “Chapter 1: Introduction” and the “Learning to Think Critically” sections). In these first pages of Chapter 1, our author (1) defines critically thinking, (2) explains why he believes the ability and willingness of citizens to engage in critical thinking is important for a healthy democracy, and (3) identifies what he believes to be the current major obstacles to critical thinking among the American citizenry.
Now consider MnTC Goal 2: Critical Thinking (MnTC Goal 2.pdf) While our course is not specifically an MnTC Goal 2 course, a student who completes the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is considered to have completed MnTC Goal 2: Critical Thinking. In this sense, developing critical thinking skills is an important aspect of our POLS 1100 American Government and Politics course. It is also a goal of our course textbook. As Patterson says on page 5: “Political Science provides knowledge and analytical tools that can increase citizens; ability to think critically….”
Once you have reviewed pages 1-5 of our Patterson textbook and reviewed MnTC Goal 2, simply consider the statement and question below and write your preliminary thoughts in your Discussion 2 posting.
In the Chapter 1 Summary, Patterson states the following; “Critical thinking is the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming knowledgeable views of political developments. Critical thinking is a key to responsible citizenship, but many citizens avoid it by virtue of paying scant attention to politics. The tools of political science can contribute to the critical thinking process.”
Do you agree with Dr. Patterson? Is a responsibility of citizenship to not only be interested and involved in politics (the Wellstone quote from the DR1 Assignment) but also to actually learn the skills to think critically about political developments? Why or why not?
Book: Patterson : WE the People
14th Edition
by Thomas Patterson
ISBN: 1260395898
