Module: Critical Thinking for Business

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Critical Thinking for Business
Module Code	BAA1041 (ITS: SB102)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The objective of this module is to develop the critical thinking skills of our first year undergraduate students. Particular emphasis will be placed on evaluating and interpreting different types of information as well as supporting students in developing their critical reasoning and problem solving abilities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct reliable and effective library research, with a particular emphasis on electronic information sources, as well as use appropriate citing and referencing techniques.
2. Access and evaluate a wide range of information sources which can be used to inform the decision-making process.
3. Explore issues and make decisions using well researched facts, rules, concepts and ideas.
4. Understand and recognise bias in a decision-making or problem-solving scenario and develop skills to counteract its negative impact.
5. Think critically and logically when forming opinions and judgments.
6. Combine insights from a broad range of disciplines and understand the importance of the weight of evidence in a decision-making situation.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	5	Large plenary sessions
Seminars	3	Small group interactive classes of between 30 and 35 students.
Fieldwork	6	No Description
Online activity	8	Online learning exercises and discussions
Independent Study	83	Class preparation and follow up
Assignment Completion	20	Individual assignment
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10115	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ioannis Ropotos	Module Teacher	Alan McMahon, Brian Harney, Natasha McDowell, Pawan Kumar

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Attendance and participation at all sessions	10%	n/a
Assignment	Library skills quiz	10%	n/a
Group assignment	Review an academic article and write the abstract	20%	n/a
Assignment	Final cap-stone assignment incorporating all module components	30%	n/a
Assignment	In class participative assignment	10%	n/a
Assignment	Reading Group Assignment	10%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Pre and Post Test	10%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Library and research skills: how to search for evidence
In partnership with the library, deliver training and online exercises in library databases and resources. Teach students about the importance of supporting claims with appropriate sources and referencing.

Reviewing & Evaluating Evidence
Guide students the skills required to identify and access information to support business decisions. Teach them what is meant by the term ‘evidence’ and help them to develop skills to evaluate and interpret different types of evidence.

Identifying Bias
Teach students how to recognise bias, to understand the impact of bias in how we evaluate evidence and how to overcome bias and make better and more effective decisions.

Critical Thinking
Support students in developing their reflective thinking skills and improve their critical analysis capabilities. Help them to identify the resources available to them when faced with a decision, evaluate various perspectives, including their own, and to develop a questioning attitude to information.

Complex Decision-Making
Explain the roles of and interaction between theories, evidence and explanations when solving problems.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None