Module: Critical Thinking, Enterprise & Collaboration Skills

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Critical Thinking, Enterprise & Collaboration Skills
Module Code	PSY1018 (ITS: PSYC117)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Remote asynchronous lecture
Seminars	10	Remote synchronous seminar
Tutorial	4	Workshop/Software Clinic
Independent Study	45	Independent lecture and seminar preparation
Assignment Completion	46	Independent Assessment Preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11468	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Darragh McCashin	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	30% 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
Assignment	70% 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

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

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

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