IAT 209W - Critical and Creative Thinking

Download PDF: IAT209-Fall2006.pdf
Credit Hours: 3
Instructors: Chantal Gibson
Location: SFU Surrey, Room 3280
Semester: Fall 2006

Course Description:

In this course students will:

• Identify characteristics of critical thinking, and innovative or creative thinking
• Discuss and understand the differences between concepts of truth, free will and knowing; opinions and beliefs, and moral questions and judgment
• Explore the creative process and its challenges, including expressing and investigating an issue or problem, and producing ideas
• Assess the implications of evaluation, propaganda, and semantics of discourse, including observation and inference
• Understand how to develop and support an argument, including the use of rhetoric, writing and research
• Understand and explore the history and application of criticism
• Understand and explore notions of innovation, change agents, in a cultural context
  

Course Objectives:

Identifies characteristics of critical thinking and innovative and creative thinking, and develops a framework for discussing and understanding concepts of knowing, questioning, and developing and presenting ideas. Students learn to build an argument through rhetorical methods, explore the history and formulation of criticism, develop and formulate questions as a mechanism for constructing and supporting concept building. Students will explore the characteristics of innovation and creativity, including the importance of informational mediaries such as "opinion leaders" and "change agents".


Delivery Method:

Bi-weekly seminar; bi-weekly web conference.

Learning Activities + Evaluation:

Learning Activities:
Seminar - 1.5 hours
Web Presentation and Required Readings - 1.5 hours
Conference Discussions - 3.5 hours
Research and Development for Final Project - 1.0 hours
Total Hours - 7.5 Hours

Evaluation
Small Projects: 30%; Projects 40%;
Web-Conference and Class Participation 30%

Texts, Resources + Materials:

Course Pack

Prerequisites:

IAT 100, 101




Last Updated: January 31, 2008

These course outlines are drafts and are subject to change.