An Introduction to Critical Thinking, Reasoning and Debate
Dates: 25th - 28th July 2011
Course Creator: Coral Milburn-Curtis
Course Tutor: Jen Oakton
This 4-day global online master-class, for able 11 - 13 year olds offers you the rare opportunity to work in an area of study otherwise restricted to As level students.
The course will reveal the secrets of powerful argument, reasoning and debate. You will be taught basic critical thinking techniques which will improve your verbal & written communication and will raise your chances of success in debate, in exams, at interview and at university.
This course will:
- improve your debating skills, your self-confidence and the extent to which you command respect
- make you a better communicator and an analytical listener
- develop your reasoning and higher-order thinking skills
- improve your powers of inference
- introduce you to an advanced critical vocabulary
- develop your skills in analysing statistics and claims
- help you to write better essays
- help you to pass exams
- improve your chances at interview
- begin your preparation for university
This course also gives you the opportunity to:
- enjoy the company of other bright students from around the world
- be inspired, challenged and motivated by contributors from the University of Oxford and the University of Warwick
- have fun!
Content:
Working on our secure online learning platform, we will:
- examine the conventions of formal debate (listening, reflecting back, making a case, using evidence, following through, challenge)
- learn how to analyse claims and statistics
- learn and practise the identification of elementary reasoning fallacies, looking closely at:
- Slippery Slope and Camel's Nose
- Ad Hominem
- Ad Hominem Tu Quoque
- Red Herrings
- come together each evening for an online debate, implementing and consolidating our new skills
- collaborate in a four day research activity, sharing and discussing our discoveries
- ... and of course - we'll take a close look at that famous 'Argument Clinic'
and consider how the use of weak argument contributes to the humour of some of the most famous comedy sketches.
How the master-class works:
You will access the course by logging in, with a username and password, to our secure online learning platform. There, you will collaborate in online tutorial with academics and with other students from around the world. Each day at 9am a new topic opens. Once opened, each unit remains accessible for the duration of the course, in case you need to catch up because of days out, family commitments etc. Activities include tutor-led assignments, research, debate, quizzes and collaborative tasks.
Time Commitment:
New course units open at various times during the course, but there is no pressure to complete tasks at a certain time - you can come and go as you please - at any time of the day or night. The course should take up one hour per day of your time, but you may wish to engage in further research in your own time. During the evenings from 6pm to 8pm, there are community activities such as a tutor-led debate or other collaborative activity, in which you are encouraged (and shown how) to develop your debating skills.
Duration: This course will run from 9am GMT on the Monday of the course until 9pm on the Thursday.
Language: English
Certificated: Yes. Certificates will be issued at the beginning of the following school term.
Venue: online, on our learning platform.
No of places: 50
Fees: £90 per student
Eligibility: This course is suitable for learners throughout the world, aged 9 - 13, who enjoy an intellectual challenge.
Requirements: Internet access and a thirst for learning!
Please ring 01865 589582 if you have any problems during the registration process, or if you prefer to book over the telephone.
What the students say
This course has been amazing. It has helped to identify weak arguments, and stop my using them myself. It has been immensely fun, especially in the Slippery Slope department. I have learned how arguing as the Devil's Advocate offers an insight into the other sides' minds, and can actually change your entire point of view. Margaret, student
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This course has been amazing and has benefited both my debating skills and my knowledge of different styles of argument hugely! I'm really pleased to have taken part in this course and I can't wait for the chance to use my new-found skills in the next thought-provoking debate I have to chance to take part in. Cari, student
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'Is this the Right Room for an Argument' is a fantastic course which has taught me how to think critically and create well developed arguments. I am far more confident in the way I express my ideas and opinions since this course. It has given me skills and allowed me to use them in interesting debates with other bright kids. I will definitely be using these skills for the rest of my life. Makenzie, student
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I have benefited from this as now I can win my case in future debates to come! Tanya, student
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This exciting and fun course, has enabled me to learn valuable debating skills in a humorous and stimulating way. Over the course, I have developed my confidence in using a range of strategies to make my point and to challenge other people's thinking. I've had great fun experimenting with what I have learnt in my discussions with family and friends at home. Participating in this course will really help me improve the quality of all my work and my discussions at school. Thank you. Lily, Student
