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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

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Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Darragh McCashin
Semester 2: Darragh McCashin
Autumn: Darragh McCashin
Module TeachersSimon Dunne
Brian Slattery
Darragh McCashin
Elayne Ahern
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to transversal skills in information searching, critical reasoning and argument analysis, biases, and enterprise skills. Students will engage with core academic skills in psychology, and develop an understanding of their overlap with enterprise. Evidencing the acquisition and implementation of skill-sets using an eportfolio will also be a core focus. Industry engagement and collaboration will also be a part of the student experience in this module, including a focus on entrepreneurial skills, collaboration methods and the use of case studies and problem scenarios. Real-world scenarios and engagement with industry - such as Accenture Human Insights Laboratory - will also feature in this module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify factors that affect information search and source analysis, gather relevant information and ask appropriate questions related to a given topic.
2. Demonstrate effective argument analysis, including analysis and assessment of information search and source credibility (ideas, arguments and information). Evidence and implement this skillsest using real-life case scenarios.
3. Identify and evaluate flaws in reasoning, including mis- and dis-information; and draw informed and logical conclusions from information.
4. Present ideas, arguments and information in a coherent and clear manner; Use appropriate visual analytics to represent reasoning for expert and non-expert audiences.
5. Explain and demonstrate the principles of co-production and successful team collaboration.
6. Understand and communicate the role of collaboration and critical thinking for entrepreneurship and reflect on their application in practice.
7. Identify and explore various methods of thinking and behaving innovatively and entrepreneurially to solve problems.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture20Remote asynchronous lecture
Seminars10Remote synchronous seminar
Tutorial4Workshop/Software Clinic
Independent Study45Independent lecture and seminar preparation
Assignment Completion46Independent Assessment Preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Critical Reasoning

Argument analysis and mapping tools

Information search and source analysis

Cognitive biases and heuristics

Logical fallacies and flaws in reasoning

Case Study Analysis and Critical thinking

Enterprise Skills and Critical Thinking

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Assignment30% Online engagement with Loop: A range of discussion forums and multimedia content will be made available via the module Loop page. Students are required to engage in a minimum of 5 discussion forum topics using the skills they have developed during the module (e.g. demonstrating critical thinking and use of evidence via comments, replies, initiating new topics).30%n/a
Assignment70% Eportfolio (on Loop Reflect): Students will use Loop reflect throughout the course of their module to critically reflect on their development of key critical thinking, collaboration, and entrepreneurial skills. Using Loop Reflect as a living document, students will evidence their development using examples, blogs, and one external interaction with industry. Students are encouraged to source an organisation or entrepreneur to interview or profile for their eportfolio.70%n/a
Indicative Reading List

  • Allen, M.: 2012, Smart thinking: Skills for critical writing and understanding, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 978-0195524055
  • Browne, M.N., & Keeley, S.M.: 2014, Asking the right questions, 11th ed., Longman, London, UK, 978-0321907950
  • Cottrell, S.: 2011, Critical thinking skills: Developing effective analysis and argument, 2nd ed., Palgrave McMillan, Houndmills, UK, 978-0230285293
  • Dweck, C.: 2012, Mindset: How you can fulfil your potential, Random House, New York, NY, 9781780332000
  • Forshaw, M.: 2012, Critical thinking for Psychology, Wiley, New York, NY, 978-1405191173
  • Gilovich, T., Griffin, D., & Kahneman, D.: 2002, Heuristics and biases: The psychology of intuitive judgment, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 978-0521796798
  • Minto, B.: 2010, The pyramid principle: Logic in writing and thinking, 3rd ed., Pearson, Harlow, UK, 978-0273710516
  • Brookfield, S.D.: 1987, Developing critical thinkers, Open University Press, Milton Keynes, UK, 978-0335155514
  • Chaffee, J.: 2014, Thinking critically, 11th ed., Wadsworth, Wadsworth, OH, 978-1285430119
  • Dewey, J.: 2011, How we think, Martino Fine, Eastford, CT, 978-1614272205
  • Garnham, A., & Oakhill, J.: 1994, Thinking and reasoning, Wiley-Blackwell, New York, NY, 978-0631170037
  • Hanna, R.: 2006, Rationality and logic, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 978-0262083492
  • Hardman, D., & Macchi, L.: 2010, Thinking: Psychological perspectives on reasoning, judgment and decision-making, Wiley, New York, NY, 978-0470025727
  • Holyoak, K.J., & Morrison, R.G.: 2013, The Oxford handbook of thinking and reasoning, Oxford University Press, Oxford, Uk, 978-0199734689
  • David A. Levy,: 2009, Tools of critical thinking: Metathoughts for Psychology, 2nd ed., Waveland Press, Long Grove, IL, 978-1577666295
  • Northedge, A.: 2005, The good study guide, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, 978-0749259747
  • Stenning, K.: 2002, Seeing reason: Image and language in learning to think, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 978-0198507741
Other Resources

None

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