2019-2020 / DOCU0455-1

Introduction to critical thinking

Theory

Practice

Duration

Theory : 10h Th
Practice : 5h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in chemistry (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in chemistry (60 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Theory : Yaël Nazé
Practice : Yaël Nazé

Coordinator

Yaël Nazé

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Theory

Course begins by an introduction to the scientific method, with its different sides. It continues with the analysis of the different ways we can be fooled (such as biases linked to the way the brain works or induced by the words and images used), and how to prevent them. It finishes by the definition of pseudodcience and the analysis of some cases.

Practice

Course begins by an introduction to the scientific method, with its different sides. It continues with the analysis of the different ways we can be fooled (such as biases linked to the way the brain works or induced by the words and images used), and how to prevent them. It finishes by the definition of pseudodcience and the analysis of some cases.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Theory

Aim is to initiate students to critical reasoning and to make them able to analyze things by themselves, in their daily life as well as in their professional life, to avoid biases and being fooled.

Practice

Aim is to initiate students to critical reasoning and to make them able to analyze things by themselves, in their daily life as well as in their professional life, to avoid biases and being fooled.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theory

The course will be in two parts, a theoretical one and a practical one. The first one is performed via a multimedia presentation, with many interactions (to avoid any misunderstandings). The second one consists in applying what was seen previously to actual cases.

Practice

The course will be in two parts, a theoretical one and a practical one. The first one is performed via a multimedia presentation, with many interactions (to avoid any misunderstandings). The second one consists in applying what was seen previously to actual cases.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Theory

face-to-face (mandatory), 5 courses of 2h. The practical sessions depend on the students' faculty.

Practice

face-to-face (mandatory), 5 courses of 2h and 2 exercise sessions of 3h. The first session consists in the critical analysis of texts and numbers, the second one deals with how to communicate scientific ideas. These two practical sessions requires some preliminary work at home (details will be provided during the courses)

Recommended or required readings

Theory

Notes and bibliography will be provided.

Practice

Notes and bibliography will be provided.

Assessment methods and criteria

Theory

Grading depends on the students's faculty - see practical part.

Practice

Grade is attributed on the basis of a report linked to the exercise sessions (30%), a written report on the personal work (40%), an oral presentation of the work with questions related to the course (30%).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Theory

N/A

Practice

The theme of the personal work will be chosen after discussion with the teacher. It can be a personal idea or be chosen amongst proposed themes. It consists in the analysis of a phenomenon (e.g. a research linked to memory, a specific pseudoscience) which was the subject of at least one peer-reviewed scientific publication. The report on this work should have a presentation (hypotheses, claims,...) and a critical discussion of the publications analyzing it. This work is done individually (10p of text 12pt in A4 format, presentation of 10min maximum).

Contacts

Theory

Yaël Nazé, 04 366 97 20, office 2/12 in Bat B5C (Astrophysique et Géophysique), ynaze@uliege.be

Practice

Yaël Nazé, 04 366 97 20, office 2/12 in Bat B5C (Astrophysique et Géophysique), ynaze@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Theory

Theoretical course was taught before the confinement.

Practice

The two practical lessons have been done by videoconf.

Assessment subjects

Theory

The full course having been taught in a classic way, the assessment will be done on the full course.

Practice

The full course having been taught, and this before the confinement, the assessment concerns the full content of the course.

Assessment methods

Theory

depends on faculty - see practical part

Practice

In addition of reports for the exercises, there is an oral exam whose content doesn't change : presentation of a personal work that must been sent one week before the exam and questions about this work. Simply, the oral exam will be done by videoconf rather than face-to-face.

Contacts

Theory

ynaze@uliege.be

Practice

ynaze@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Theory

as in June

Assessment methods

Theory

as in June

Contacts

Theory

as in June