This unit introduces students to the foundational skills of critical thinking and writing for use in the study of theology and related disciplines. It is designed to equip the student in the evaluation and construction of theological ideas through the appropriation of the principles of logic and reasoning. The skills developed will include the analysis and construction of sound arguments, identifying and avoiding logical fallacies, writing with clarity and distinguishing between weak sense and strong sense critical thinking.
Unit code: CT8722B (Approved)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Systematic Theology
Proposing College: Eva Burrows College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Describe the function of logic and argument in theological discourse |
| 2. | Identify and construct deductively valid conclusions |
| 3. | Apply higher level critical thinking skills to theological research and essay writing |
| 4. | Show advanced skills in the construction and evaluation of arguments |
| 5. | Communicate competing theological ideas in discourse designed for public consumption |
Lectures, discussion, forum engagement, videos, reading
= set texts recommended for purchase
Aden, Ross. Religion Today: A Critical Thinking Approach to Religious Studies. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.
Anderson, Jonathan and Millicent Poole. Assignment and Thesis Writing. 4th ed. Brisbane: Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd., 2001.
Bowell, Tracey and Gary Kemp. Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide. 4th ed. London: Routledge, 2015.
Browne, M. Neal and Stuart M. Keeley. Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking. Global ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2014.
Chaffee, John. Thinking Critically. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2011.
Chaffee, John, Christine McMahon and Barbara Stout. Critical Thinking, Thoughtful Writing. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2014.
Core, Deborah. The Seminary Student Writes. St Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2000.
Foresman, Galen A. The Critical Thinking Toolkit. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell, 2016.
Gardner, Susan T, and Dirk Van Stralen. Thinking Your Way to Freedom: A Guide to Owning Your Own Practical Reasoning. Philadelphia: Temple Universotu Press, 2009.
Halpern, Diane F. Thought and Knowledge: An Introduction to Critical Thinking. 5th rev. ed. Hove, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2013.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. 8th ed. Revised by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory Colomb, Joseph M. Williams. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013.
Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Your Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 3,000 word essay |
3000 | 50.0 |
| Essay | 1,200 word primary source analysis |
1200 | 20.0 |
| Essay | 600 word exercise |
600 | 10.0 |
| Essay | 600 word exercise |
600 | 10.0 |
| Essay | 600 word exercise |
600 | 10.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 16 Sep, 2020
Unit record last updated: 2020-09-17 15:46:56 +1000