HUM 115 Wk 1 Discussion – Critical Thinking

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days to earn full participation points.

This total includes:

• your initial response
• plus any combination of 2 replies to other students or to any messages/questions from your Instructor

All three responses must have at least 175 words of substantive content to earn full credit. Please demonstrate learning in your responses.

Due Thursday

Words can have different meanings in different contexts, and that is the case with the word critical. Using a shared definition makes discussion more productive, so to begin, this week we define what is meant by critical thinking. Sometimes, the word critical means being picky. It can also mean that something is important, as in “that is a critical part of this machine.” However, neither of those definitions reflects the meaning of critical as it is used in the phrase critical thinking.

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

• Based on this week’s reading and activities, how would “you” define critical thinking?
• What are some characteristics of a critical thinker, and what do you see as common barriers to critical thinking? (Boss, p.21)
• How might people overcome or avoid those barriers?
• What, in particular, in the reading assignments this week expanded your ideas about critical thinking?

Due Monday

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates or any message/question from your Instructor. Please be constructive and professional in your responses. Each reply must have at least 175 words of substantive content.