Introduction
Remember – these journal questions require more thinking than writing. Think about exactly what you are asked to do, and then write as economically as possible.
Instructions
Critical Thinking
Go back to your very first journal entry – review your definition of critical thinking. After studying critical thinking for the past eight weeks, would you change your definition in any way? If yes, how and why? If no – if it was perfect – what parts of the text were best reflected in your definition?
Heart of the Matter
Recall in your first journal entry that you discussed the authors’ statement that the concepts in Chapters 12, 13 and 14 were “the heart of the matter.” After having studied those chapters, answer again, with renewed understanding, the question posed there: Why do you think the authors find these concepts important to critical thinking?
Ethical Decision-Making
The lecture claims that an argument is no good unless it has a “strong and reasoned ethical base.” Do you agree that ethics is an essential element of a good argument? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Looking Forward
Do you believe that you now know everything you need to know about critical thinking – or is learning to think critically a life-long task? Explain your answer.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1 ½ -2 pages (not including prompts, title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page
Grading
This activity will be graded using the Journal Grading Rubric.
Outcomes
CO 1: Define critical reasoning for application to personal and professional problem-solving.
CO 3: Analyze deductive and inductive reasoning structures.
CO 4: Evaluate arguments by applying tests of truthfulness, logical strength, relevance, and non-circularity.
CO 6: Apply principles of critical reasoning to political, educational, economic, and/or social issues.
Due Date
By 11:59 p.m. MT on Saturday
Rubric
Journal Grading Rubric – 35 pts
Journal Grading Rubric – 35 pts
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength
5 pts
Meets length requirement
0 pts
Does not meet length requirement
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Reflection
15 pts
Reflection demonstrates a high degree of critical thinking in applying, analyzing, and evaluating key course concepts and theories from readings, lectures, media, discussions activities, and/or assignments. Insightful and relevant connections made through contextual explanations, inferences, and examples.
12.75 pts
Reflection demonstrates some degree of critical thinking in applying, analyzing, and/or evaluating key course concepts and theories from readings, lectures, media, discussions activities, and/or assignments. Connections made through explanations, inferences, and/or examples.
11.25 pts
Reflection demonstrates limited critical thinking in applying, analyzing, and/or evaluating key course concepts and theories from readings, lectures, media, discussions, activities, and/or assignments. Minimal connections made through explanations, inferences, and/or examples.
9 pts
Reflection lacks critical thinking. Superficial connections are made with key course concepts and course materials, activities, and/or assignments.
0 pts
Little or no reflection; copies or repeats text or lecture.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePersonal Growth
10 pts
Conveys strong evidence of reflection on own work with a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. Demonstrates significant personal growth and awareness of deeper meaning through inferences made, examples, well developed insights, and substantial depth in perceptions and challenges. Synthesizes current experience into future implications.
8.5 pts
Conveys evidence of reflection on own work with a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. Demonstrates satisfactory personal growth and awareness through some inferences made, examples, insights, and challenges. Some thought of the future implications of current experience.
7.5 pts
Conveys limited evidence of reflection on own work in response to the self-assessment questions posed. Demonstrates less than adequate personal growth and awareness through few or simplistic inferences made, examples, insights, and/or challenges that are not well developed. Minimal thought of the future implications of current experience.
6 pts
Conveys inadequate evidence of reflection on own work in response to the self-assessment questions posed. Personal growth and awareness are not evident and/or demonstrates a neutral experience with negligible personal impact. Lacks enough inferences, examples, personal insights and challenges, and/or future implications are overlooked.
0 pts
No evidence of reflection.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Quality
5 pts
Well written and clearly organized using standard English, characterized by elements of a strong writing style and basically free from grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling errors.
4.25 pts
Above average writing style and logically organized using standard English with minor errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling.
3.75 pts
Average and/or casual writing style that is sometimes unclear and/or with some errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling.
3 pts
Poor writing style lacking in standard English, clarity, language used, and/or frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling. Needs work.
0 pts
Lacks coherence; errors in grammar, usage and spelling interfere with readability and understanding to significant degree.
5 pts
Total Points: 35
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