Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Workshops
I began teaching Critical Thinking and Informal Logic at the University of Miami in 1996, while I was in graduate school at UM (it was the first philosophy course I ever taught). Since then, I have experimented with a variety of pedagogical methods and techniques for teaching critical thinking to a wide variety of students – ranging from advanced Philosophy Majors, to students with little or no experience in formal Philosophy.
Critical Thinking is both an educational ideal, and a real-world practical approach to constructive problem-solving. Critical thinking involves the careful, rational assessment of arguments, evidence, and reasons. Critical Thinking enables you to identify the main issue or question in a given topic, thus allowing you to focus on the relevant facts and ideas. Through the use of Critical Thinking, you learn to identify and articulate the key presuppositions and assumptions in your arguments and views, and to recognize and evaluate the consequences and implications of your ideas and beliefs. As a Critical Thinker, you learn to identify (and correct) any logical errors, or fallacies of reasoning, whether they occur in your own arguments or those of others. The logical techniques, principles, methods, and concepts of Critical Thinking may be applied to virtually any intellectual endeavor (one may think critically in science and the arts, in philosophy, and in everyday situations and contexts). The art of reasoning and conceptual analysis is vital to anyone who seeks to understand, and to continue to learn and expand one's knowledge. Critical thinking enables you to systematically integrate your ideas, concepts, and knowledge into a coherent, meaningful whole.
I offer introductory to advanced-level courses, workshops, and seminars in Critical Thinking, Informal Logic, and also on the relation between Critical and Creative Thinking. The following is a preliminary, tentative schedule for workshops during 2009. All workshops will be conducted at the Coral Gables campus of the University of Miami. If your organization or group wishes to reserve an alternate location for your workshop, please email: rrabinsky@miami.edu
Winter 2009
3 Day Workshop : An introduction to the main ideas, concepts, principles, and applications of Critical Thinking. This workshop is available for the following academic levels: Elementary (grades 1 to 6); Junior High (grades 7 to 9); High School; and College / University level. [ DATES : This intro. workshop is offered twice in January 2009: beginning on Friday, Jan. 9 to Sunday, Jan. 11; and another section beginning on Saturday, Jan. 17 to Monday, Jan. 19]
5 Day Workshop : This workshop is designed for students who seek a more intensive exposure to Critical Thinking and Informal Logic. It is available to the same academic levels (Elementary through College/ University). [ DATES : This intensive workshop is offered from Monday, January 12, to Friday, January 16]
Spring 2009
3 Day Workshop : An introduction to the main ideas, concepts, principles, and applications of Critical Thinking. This workshop is available for the following academic levels: Elementary (grades 1 to 6); Junior High (grades 7 to 9); High School; and College / University level. [ DATES : Two sections of this intro. workshop are offered in March, 2009: the first section begins on Monday, March 16th to Wednesday, March 18th ; and the 2nd section begins on Thursday, March 19th to Saturday, March 21st ]
Summer 2009
3 Day Workshop : An introduction to the main ideas, concepts, principles, and applications of Critical Thinking. This workshop is available for the following academic levels: Elementary (grades 1 to 6); Junior High (grades 7 to 9); High School; and College / University level. [ DATES : This intro. workshop is offered on two different sessions in July 2009: the first session begins on Monday, July 20th to Wednesday, July 23rd ; and the other session begins on Wednesday, July 29th to Friday, July 31st ]
5 Day Workshop : This workshop is designed for students who seek a more intensive exposure to Critical Thinking and Informal Logic. It is available to the same academic levels (Elementary through College/ University). [ DATES : This intensive workshop is offered in August, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7 ]
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Reservations & Fees
3 Day Workshops (1 Student) (2 – 3 Students) (4 or more)
( per person ) : $500. $450. $400.
5 Day Workshops (1 Student) (2 – 3 Students) (4 or more)
( per person ) : $1,000. $900. $800.
For reservations and group rates, please email: rrabinsky@miami.edu
Copyright © 2008 by Ruben Rabinsky
