Critical Thinking

Area of Interest: Capability Systems

Course Summary

"Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information as a guide to belief and action." Critical thinking is the foundation of effective problem solving and decision making and enables us to avoid common obstacles, test our beliefs and assumptions, and correct distortions in our thought processes.

Critical Thinking short course strengthens your ability to objectively analyze and assess problems accurately, evaluate alternative solutions, and anticipate likely risks. Learn a range of proven tools and techniques readily transferable on the job to identify challenges and respond to them in a structured and considered manner. Gain practical guidance on implementing these skills in your workplace to pressure test ideas quickly and constructively.

Duration: 1 Day

Delivery Mode: On-campus and remote. You choose how you would like to attend.

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Course Content

• Introduction to Critical Thinking and Benefits of critical thinking in the workplace
• Critical thinking as a management skill
• Different thinking styles
• The Critical Thinking Process
• Lightweight tools and resources to bring critical thinking to your everyday job
• Human influential factors on decision-making process and how to avoid them

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the fundamentals of critical thinking and why it matters
• Identify, analyze, and evaluate different perspectives about a problem and solutions
• Recognize unstated assumptions, cognitive biases and heuristics as well as tactics to overcome them
• Better define the causes of problems before they occur and learn to leverage creativity in assisting with problem-solving
• Apply systematic reflective practice to examine and update your assumptions continually.
• Apply a range of methods for bringing critical thinking to your problem-solving activities

Who should attend

The critical thinking course is for any member or leader in Defence, Industry and Government groups. World Economic Forum identified complex problem solving and critical thinking as the top 2 skills needed for the future of work and vital for success. The content in this course can be applied to a range of problem-solving situations, from team management and public services decisions to the defence and industry sectors.

What will you receive

• UNSW Canberra certificate of completion/attendance
• Masters credit: UNSW Canberra allows students who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 days of approved professional education courses to use those courses as credit in eligible postgraduate programs. 

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this course

For further information on our Problem Solving Essentials course listings, please click here.

Instructors

Dr. Fateme Zare, Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

Dr. Fateme Zare is a researcher at the University of New South Wales Canberra and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Fateme has more than 10 years of research, teaching and practical experience in model-based decision support processes using Systems Thinking and critical thinking with a focus on the integration of human–natural systems modelling. She has substantial experience in participatory, transdisciplinary and complex research. She has studied the integration of different aspects of problem-solving and modelling. One aspect of her research focuses on using different methodology and techniques to develop a comprehensive problem definition in integrated, interconnected, and complex human-natural systems. Social aspects of the decision-making and human aspect of the process are critical to the structure and evaluate decision support processes and enhance complex systems' robustness.