2021/2022

Mastering Soft Skills through English How to Think Critically and Adapt to Changes

Type: Optional course

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

When: 1-3 module

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Yulia Mikhailovna Chanturidze, Idalia Fedotova, Natalia Kudinova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 52

Course Syllabus

Abstract

In order to survive in today’s “info-loaded” and diversified world, one is required to think critically and break free from the familiar routines to adapt to new circumstances. Sadly, no one is born with these skills. Yet, they can be developed and, luckily, we know how to do that! This semester we offer a brand-new online course that will help you sharpen their critical thinking skills and exercise adaptability. Throughout the course, you will discuss some of the most controversial topics such as the death penalty and ethical norms in video games, to name but a few. You will watch thought-provoking documentaries and gripping episodes of award-winning TV series. You will learn how to structure a persuasive argument to win debates, how to select reliable and credible information sources, and how to adjust to an unexpectedly changed situation. On top of that, you will definitely have a whale of a time!

Learning Objectives

• This course is aimed at helping students develop their critical thinking skills and adaptability in an academic environment through English.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Apply critical thinking and argumentation to real world problems and issues
• Assess a situation from various perspectives, evaluate alternative solutions, and choose the optimal response
• Disengage from an unattainable goal and re-engage in an alternative, feasible goal
• Evaluate the reliability and credibility of information sources and the relevance of information itself
• Identify and establish cause-effect relations in arguments
• Identify types of argument and cases of bias within arguments
• Override the inclination to adopt familiar patterns
• Reject conclusions that seem believable but are not logical
• Select logically correct and persuasive argumentation
• Structure an effective argument (claim, reason, evidence) in both oral and written forms

Course Contents

• The World
• The Arts
• Health / Medicine
• Justice

Assessment Elements

• Written assessment
  Written assessment includes an argument and a review (in the form of an op-ed). Assessment can be retaken if missed for a valid reason. The absence must be documented.
• Oral assessment
  Oral assessment includes a dialogue (debate) and a presentation.
• Independent work
  Independent work includes various types of activities that students do at home. To receive full marks, home assignments must be fully completed and submitted on time. A home assignment partially completed and/or submitted after the due date is not assessed. If an assignment does not have a due date, students must submit it before the beginning of a class. To submit a home assignment, a student does not need to be present in class.
• Final assessment
  The final assessment includes a dialogue (in the form of a debate).

Interim Assessment

• 2021/2022 3rd module
  0.2 * Oral assessment + 0.25 * Written assessment + 0.25 * Independent work + 0.3 * Final assessment

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Bowell, T., Cowan, R., & Kemp, G. (2020). Critical Thinking : A Concise Guide (Vol. Fifth edition). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2240045
• Mastering English through Global Debate, , 2019

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills : Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. [N.p.]: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1525114