Module: Critical Thinking in Action

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Critical Thinking in Action
Module Code	BAA1045 (ITS: SB202)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Critical thinking sits at the centre of good decision making. This module is the second step on students' critical thinking pathway and further sets out to demystify this approach to thinking. The module opens with a section on metacognition designed to enhance students' self-reflection and resilience. Armed with this new appreciation for how they learn, students will then take the second section which introduces them to critical thinking in action. Working with our industry partner, students will learn about the role of critical thinking in supporting sound business decision making, problem solving and communication.Decision making is a fundamental aspect of human behaviour and is of interest to every discipline that informs the world of business.Students will gain insights from current business problems and will learn how they can apply their critical thinking skills to work towards viable solutions to those problems. There are five aims of this module – continuing the development of students’ critical thinking skills; understanding how those skills translate into the world of business to solve problems and to inform decisions; understanding academic research and its value as a foundation for higher level study within specialisms; and using critical thinking to develop persuasive arguments

Learning Outcomes

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2. LO1: Think critically and logically when making decisions and solving problems.
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7. Make judgements as to the most appropriate research solutions to practical Business problems, and argue in defence of their judgements.
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12. Comprehend and engage with different views of reality in an open-minded way and challenge preconceptions.
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17. Apply simple strategies for improving their work based on critical reflection.
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22. Draw on critical thinking approaches to inform communication, particularly the construction of persuasive arguments
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*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	2	Two plenary sessions at the start of each section
Workshop	6	Active learning workshops in which students complete formative activities
Online activity	17	For both assignments, students will be engaging with authorised AI tools. They will work on refining their prompting and evaluation skills, using guides provided by the lecturers
Assignment Completion	20	No Description
Independent Study	80	Section One: students work on assessing their own learning styles by applying reflective frameworks to their approach to their modules. They apply the AI generated personal learning plan to their assignments in preparation for their final portfolio assignment Section Two: Students will work independently on selected readings and cases to enhance their appreciation of the challenge from the external stakeholder, to analyse the nature of the issues raised, and to evaluation potential solutions
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10118	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Siobhain Mcgovern	Module Teacher	Declan Curran, Jack Campbell, Yseult Freeney

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Professional Portfolio	Students complete a series of workshop acitivites designed to enhance metacognition skills. The capstone of the portfolio is a 2000 word reflection on their approach to learning. These assignments are AI integrated.	60%	Week 24
Assignment	Students complete a 2000 word reflection on the complexities of decision making in business contexts, and how critical thinking facilitates the generation of better informed, more robust decisions that can be defended and justified. This assignment is AI integrated.	40%	Week 12

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

Section One: Thinking about Thinking One plenary and four workshops
Plenary - Introduction to module Workshop One: Mapping your learning - a SWOT analysis of your approach to learning Workshop Two: Designing your Learning Roadmap with AI Workshop Three: Collaborative Decision Making in Student Groups Workshop Four: Self Evaluation and Reengineering your Roadmap for Learning Success. Section Two: Critical Thinking in Business Plenary: External Stakeholder Challenge on Critical Thinking and Business Decision Making Workshop One: Decision Making in Business Workshop Two: Ethical Problem Solving

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Kevin Gallagher: 2022, Essential Study and Employment Skills for Business and Management Students4E, 4th, 13, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 369, 9780198809883

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None