Critical Thinking (AS)

Examination Board: OCR
Course code: H052

Critical Thinking is one of the fastest growing AS/A Levels. A skills-based course, it will benefit your performance across a range of subjects, in both the humanities and the Sciences. As one student commented, the course “makes me think outside the box”.

The first unit, The Language of Reasoning, is studied in Year 12. It involves analysing the structure and strength of arguments and assessing the credibility of different claims and evidence. The second unit, Assessing and Developing Argument, is studied in Year 13.

It builds on the skills acquired in the first module, studying more complex material and developing your skills in the writing of your own arguments. The course provides opportunities for you to think deeply, and in a structured way, about issues that are key to participating in society: we look at ethical questions, cultural issues, issues of personal responsibility. Material for the course is drawn from a wide range of up-to-date sources, and there are opportunities for you to supply the material yourself – from articles you have read.