Module Manual: Critical Thinking, Reading & Writing

Academic year: 2018 - 19

PG Batch : 2018 – 2020

Course Credit: 2

Trimester : 1

Course Code:

Course Marks:

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1. Introduction

Reading and writing are modes of communication that are important for success in every field. While
critical reading and writing has traditionally been linked to academics, research and literature but their
importance in the business and professional world has now been established. Whether one is reading a
business report, marketing strategy plan or an email from stakeholders and clients, it is important to
read critically and then think critically about it. Critical reading requires one to think critically by
evaluating the text, distinguishing fact from opinion, and look at arguments given for and against the
various claims. This also means being aware of one’s own opinions and assumptions (positive and
negative) in order to evaluate it for the positive and negative impacts it can have on the business.
Critical reading and thinking have a positive impact on writing. In fact, the importance of writing has
perhaps increased in the last decade or so, thanks to new trends in technology. Most people
communicate via email, text, or social media, and hence many millions of pieces of information are
flowing between people through the written word every day. In matters of business, when every
second counts, strong writing skills make the difference between smooth operations and clumsy
footing. For personal branding and those wishing to establish an online presence to showcase skills or
otherwise reach out and network, writing is perhaps the best way to achieve this goal in the long term.
Writing blog posts, articles based on one’s knowledge and skill sets, or creation of a powerful web
presence, all boil down to one thing - writing. Every piece of writing can be critical if it is well
thought out, well planned and making relevant points or clearly communicating the purpose.

The goal of this course is a better understanding of critical thinking, reading and writing and how to
use it for effective communication, for promoting oneself professionally or for enhancing and
improving the work/business. At the end of the course it is expected that the following learning
outcomes will be achieved:

 Understanding the importance of critical thinking, reading and writing

 Learning the step by step process of critical thinking, reading and writing
 Understanding how to use thinking, reading and writing for professional/business
enhancement

2. Introduction to the Tutor (s)

2.1 Module Leader: Atima Mankotia, IILM Lodhi Road

Module Tutor : Rituparna G Vats, IILM University, Gurugram

3. Module Pre-requisite:

Student should have basic graduate level knowledge.

3. Preparing for the class and other details:

We as an institution believe that (a) peer learning has a very important role to play in determining
learning outcomes and (b) learning can happen best in the form of discussion/dialogue. Hence
preparing well for the class is critical.

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The course outline details on the session plan and readings for each session in the following sections.
You are expected to go through the relevant materials/pre-readings provided in the course pack before
you reach the class room. Similarly, for sessions identified for group discussion of the case must
precede discussion of the same in the class room. Adequate preparation at an individual/group level
will determine the quality of discussion we have and you’re learning from each session. Read the
articles and readings mentioned in the course manual. Refer to the web resources and links that have
been shared alongside the sessions. This module has number of activities as well as readings to be
done in the class which also includes group task. The readings and activities will be a mix of
individual as well as group tasks. Hence, high level of team membership is required in this module.

You will be required to reach the class room at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the
session. Each session would be discussion and activity based.

Please Note: Attendance for each session is compulsory. As per the attendance policy, you will
be debarred from the module if you miss more than 3 classes (This is a 16 session, 2 credit
module).

4. Module Overview:

Session Plan for Critical Thinking, Reading & Writing:

Session/s Topics

1 An Introduction to Critical Thinking

2 Become a Critical Thinker

3 Critical Thinking & Working with Others

4 An Introduction to Critical Reading

5 Evaluating Text , Examining Reactions & Interpreting

6 Evaluating Text , Examining Reactions & Interpreting – Workshop/Activity

7 An Introduction to Critical Writing

8 The Process of Critical Writing

9 The Process of Writing Critically – Workshop/Activity

10 Applying Critical Writing for Outreach

11 Applying Critical Writing for Outreach – Workshop/Activity

12 Leveraging Critical Writing for Business & Self-improvement

13 Leveraging Critical Writing for Business and Self-improvement

Workshop/Activity

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5. Module Readings

5.1: Readings

 http://www.openuniversity.edu/sites/www.openuniversity.edu/files/brochures/Cri
tical-thinking-Open-University.pdf
 https://students.mq.edu.au/public/download.jsp?id=202478

Books

 Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (e-book)

 Critical Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide to Critical Thinking, Better Decision Making, and Problem
Solving by Jennifer Wilson Paperback: 116 pages; Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing
Platform (9 February 2017)

6. Session Plan

Session: 1: An Introduction to Critical Thinking

The session would introduce the concept of critical thinking and discuss its importance in
personal and professional life. Through a series of examples the session will explain how people
use critical thinking in everyday situations and decision making and how to transfer these skills to
professional life.

Learning Outcome:
 To understand what is critical thinking
 To learn the importance of critical thinking and how it can help academically, personally and
professionally

Essential Reading:
 http://www.openuniversity.edu/sites/www.openuniversity.edu/files/brochures/Cri
tical-thinking-Open-University.pdf
 Video- https://ed.ted.com/lessons/5-tips-to-improve-your-critical-thinking-
samantha-agoos

Desired Reading:
 Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (ebook)

Session 2: Become a Critical Thinker

This session would introduce a step-by-step process of thinking critically and how to make
decisions based on that. It would help students to develop critical thinking skills by learning to
use and draw on evidence to justify their own arguments and ideas. The session will introduce the
process of synthesizing one’s own thoughts and develop more reasoned arguments for academic
and professional life.
Learning Outcomes
 Learn the process of critical thinking
 Understand how to present and justify any claims/statements based on the
Evidence evaluation

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 Essential Reading:
• https://students.mq.edu.au/public/download.jsp?id=202478

Useful websites:
http://theconversation.com/how-to-teach-all-students-to-think-critically-35331

Videos:
Video 1: http://nirmukta.com/2010/01/03/critical-thinking-a-video-by-qualiasoup-on-youtube/

Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=24&v=_L9CYPdqze0

Session: 3: Critical Thinking & Working with Others

This session discusses how the skill of thinking critically is not just about sitting at your desk to
compose an argument but it is the ability to argue effectively but objectively and professionally with
other people. It will examine how using critical thinking in personal and professional conversations
will help people to think through issues to find better solutions.

Learning Outcome:

 To learn the skill of communication based on critical thinking

 To understand how critical thinking works in conversations

Essential Reading:

http://www.openuniversity.edu/sites/www.openuniversity.edu/files/brochures/Critical
-thinking-Open-University.pdf

Session: 4: An Introduction to Critical Reading

This session will discuss the importance and the process of critical reading. It will introduce
enquiry based reading and the concept of an argument and what constitutes an argument to
facilitate an understanding of critical reading. The session will elaborate on how criticality can be
developed by posing a set of questions while reading and searching for the answers within the
text.

Learning Outcome:

 To understand the importance of critical reading

 How to make reading critically a habit of the mind

Essential Reading:
https://students.mq.edu.au/public/download.jsp?id=202478
https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/critical-reading

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jFea6OT94

Session: 5-6: Evaluating Text Read, Examining Reactions & Interpreting

This session will discuss strategies for reading and how to interpret texts critically. It will teach
and encourage students to ask questions while reading and evaluate the text and also examine
their own reactions to the text after reading.

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 In the second session, through a series of reading exercises and worksheets, the students with
learn and practice critical reading and its application.

Learning Outcomes:

 To learn different strategies of reading critically

 To use critical reading strategies professionally and personally

Essential Reading:
 https://www.esc.edu/online-writing-center/resources/critical-reading-writing/general-
reading/critical-reading/

Session: 7: An Introduction to Critical Writing

Effective communication sets the foundation for individual and organizational success. When you
master effective communication skills, you gain the power to get things done. This session will
explain the difference between descriptive (not-critical) writing and critical writing and will focus
on understanding the importance of critical writing in good communication. The session will
discuss how through thinking and reading critically, one can develop a critical writing style
ensuring well thought out and well-structured writing.

Learning Outcomes
 To understand the basics of critical writing and be able to identify critical writing from
not-critical writing
 To understand how critical writing flows form critical reading and thinking

Essential Readings:
https://students.mq.edu.au/public/download.jsp?id=202478

Session 8-9: The Process of Critical Writing

This session will explain and elaborate the process of writing critically. It will discuss how to
structure the writing by conveying the overall logic and progression of the argument to
demonstrate that critical thinking underlies the writing. The session will introduce some simple
ways in which writing can be structured such as using context and examples; using themes; and
link and signpost.

The second session through a series of exercises and activities will teach the students how to
improve their written communication by using critical writing techniques.

Learning Outcome:

 To understand the elements of critical writing

 To learn to write critically using several basic techniques

Essential Reading:
 http://www.openuniversity.edu/sites/www.openuniversity.edu/files/brochures/Critical-
thinking-Open-University.pdf
 https://www.kent.ac.uk/learning/documents/student-support/value-
map/valuemap1516/criticalthinkingandwriting171015alg.pdf

Session 10-11: Applying Critical Writing for Outreach

For anyone wishing to establish an online presence to showcase skills or otherwise reach out and
network, writing is perhaps the best way to achieve this goal in the long term. In particular, writing

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blog posts and guest articles utilizing particular knowledge and skill sets. A powerful web presence
needs powerful content. This session will discuss how to become an authority throughout the web
thorough your written contributions and create personal branding through writing.
The second session, through a series of activities and exercises, will teach the dos and don’ts of
written communication and how critical thinking and reading can influence writing by making it more
effective.

Learning Outcome:

 To understand the significance of writing in creating an online presence

 To learn the techniques of effective critical writing for an effective online presence

Essential Readings:
http://www.duperrin.com/english/2013/06/28/social-media-critical-thinking/
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-write-your-personal-branding-statement-2295809

Session 12-13: Leveraging Critical Writing for Business and Self Improvement
The ability to write well is not reserved for authors, poets, journalists, and screenwriters alone.
This session will discuss how strong writing skills are crucial for almost all professions that
require writing emails to clients, stakeholders, team members and management. It will elaborate
upon how critical writing skills can be a step towards establishing credibility in either an
authoritative or instructional setting because sometimes failure to write well may result in people
not taking what one has to say seriously, even if the person has the best intentions at heart and
best insights.
Perhaps most critical of all - writing can help us become better people. This session will also
introduce the concept of self-improvement through writing because writing helps us think better,
and perhaps even be smarter. Critical writing allows us a way to collect our scattered thoughts and
ideas, and channel them into a single beam of information. It opens up a new dimension for the
mind to move into and, consequently, creates a space for unparalleled expression and imagination.
The second session will through a series of activities and workshops demonstrate and teach
effective business writing and self-improvement through critical writing.

Learning Outcomes:

 To understand the importance of writing in business communication and use critical

writing skills to improve business communication
 To learn how critical and effective writing results in self-improvement

Essential Reading:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-writing-skills-critical-your-business-success-how-
geri-spieler/

https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/libraryservices/library/skills/asc/documents/public
/pgtcriticalwriting.pdf

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGTwXp2wtQ

7. Assessment Plan:

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 Assessment Group/ Weightage
Individual

Class Participation Individual 50% weightage ( 10 marks)

Written assignment Individual 50% weightage ( 10 marks)

Details of Assessment:

Component 1: Class Participation: Class participation in the practical workshops and activities
during sessions. The participation could be individual or group depending on the activity. The average
of the aggregate of all the activities will be taken for final assessment. It will have a 50% weightage
(10 marks). This will be an ongoing assessment during class delivery. Students can be assessed on
activities of any of the sessions.

Component 2:
Written assignment: Students will be given an individual assignement during the sessions. Each
student/group should submit a written report that will be assessed. It will have a 50% weightage (10
marks).

8.1 Assessment Map

Module Name: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

Critical Thinking Reading & * *

Writing

A1- Class Participation (Individual/Group)

A2- Activity based Project/Presentation (Individual/Group)

8.2: Assessment Mapping with Learning outcomes and PLGs:

Type Group/ Assessment PLG’s Assessed

Individual

Class participation Individual Verbal, Oral and Written L3, L4, L7, L8, L9
Activities (10 Marks)

Activity based project Individual Individual based project - written L4

(10 Marks)

8.3 Teaching Map:

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Module Name: T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Critical Thinking, Reading & Writing * * *

T1: Lectures
T2: Seminars/Tutorials
T3: Projects
T4: Case Discussion
T5: Guest Lectures/Industrial Visit
T6: Lab Sessions

8.4: Curriculum Map:

Curriculum Map:

Module Name: L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9

Critical
Thinking,
Reading &
Writing

Taught * * * * * * * *

Assessed * * * *

L1: An understanding of organizations, their external context and their management.

L2: An understanding of appropriate techniques sufficient to allow investigation into business and
management issues.

L3: The ability to acquire and analyse and understand data and information.

L4: Critical thinking and informed judgement leading to problem solving and decision making skills.

L5: Cognitive flexibility which enables adaptability to uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

L6: An understanding of disruptive and technological change and ability to seek innovative and
entrepreneurial solutions.

L7: Be able to effectively communicate and negotiate.

L8: Demonstrate emotional intelligence and people’s skills in working in teams and with people.

L9: Be cognizant of the impact of their individual and corporate actions on society, recognize
responsible and inclusive business practices and be sensitive to the social, economic and
environmental responsibilities of business.

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8. Assessment Plan:

Assessment Group/ Weightage

Individual

Activity Individual (50% weightage)

Individual Project Individual (50% weightage)

Details of Assessment:

Component 1: Individual Activity: Students would be given written, oral and reading exercises
over the span of the course. It will have a 50% weightage. This will be an ongoing assessment during
class delivery.
Component 2: Project Submission: Students individually would be given a choice to read one book
out of two at the beginning of the session and they can choose to do a critical analysis of the book and
submit a written assignment on the same

8.1 Assessment Map

Module Name: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

Critical Thinking, Reading & * *

Writing

A1- Individual assignment

A2- Group assignment
A3- Open book examinations
A4- Closed book examinations
A5- Presentation

8.2: Assessment Mapping with Learning outcomes and PLGs:

Written/Oral Group/ Assessment PLG’s Assessed

Individual

Activity Individual Written and oral activities L2,L3, L4, L5, L7

Written assignment Individual Individual submission on critical L3, L4 & L7

analysis of a book

8.3 Teaching Map:

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Module Name: T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Critical Thinking, Reading & Writing * * *

T1: Lectures
T2: Seminars/Tutorials
T3: Projects
T4: Case Discussion
T5: Guest Lectures/Industrial Visit
T6: Lab Sessions

8.4: Curriculum Map:

Curriculum Map:

Module Name: L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9

Critical
Thinking,
Reading &
Writing

Taught * * * * * *

Assessed * * * *

L1: An understanding of organizations, their external context and their management.

L2: An understanding of appropriate techniques sufficient to allow investigation into business and
management issues.

L3: The ability to acquire and analyse and understand data and information.

L4: Critical thinking and informed judgement leading to problem solving and decision making skills.

L5: Cognitive flexibility which enables adaptability to uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

L6: An understanding of disruptive and technological change and ability to seek innovative and
entrepreneurial solutions.

L7: Be able to effectively communicate and negotiate.

L8: Demonstrate emotional intelligence and people’s skills in working in teams and with people.

L9: Be cognizant of the impact of their individual and corporate actions on society, recognize
responsible and inclusive business practices and be sensitive to the social, economic and
environmental responsibilities of business.

9. Module Reading Grid

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Sl no Module Topic discussed Shared/
Isolated
Essential Readings
1. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (e-book) Critical Thinking Shared
2. Critical Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide to Critical Thinking, Better Critical Thinking Isolated
Decision Making, and Problem Solving by Jennifer Wilson
Paperback
3. http://www.openuniversity.edu/sites/www.openuniversity.edu/file Critical Thinking Shared
s/brochures/Critical-thinking-Open-University.pdf
Websites
4. http://theconversation.com/how-to-teach-all-students-to-think- Introduction to Isolated
critically-35331 Critical Thinking,
working with
others
5. https://students.mq.edu.au/public/download.jsp?id=202478 Become a Critical Isolated
Thinker
6. https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing- Evaluating Text Isolated
resources/critical-reading Read, Examining
Reactions &
Interpreting
7. https://www.kent.ac.uk/learning/documents/student- Introduction to Isolated
support/value- Critical writing
map/valuemap1516/criticalthinkingandwriting171015alg.pdf and process of
Critical writing
8. http://www.duperrin.com/english/2013/06/28/social-media- Applying Critical Isolated
critical-thinking/ Writing for
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-write-your-personal- Outreach
branding-statement-2295809
9. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-writing-skills-critical-your- Leveraging Isolated
business-success-how-geri-spieler/ Critical Writing
for Business and
https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/libraryservices/library/skills/a Self Improvement
sc/documents/public/pgtcriticalwriting.pdf
Video
10. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/5-tips-to-improve-your-critical- Become a Critical Isolated
thinking-samantha-agoos Thinker
http://nirmukta.com/2010/01/03/critical-thinking-a-video-by-
qualiasoup-on-youtube/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=24&v=_L9CYPdqze0
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jFea6OT94 Critical Thinking, Isolated
working with
others
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGTwXp2wtQ Leveraging Isolated
Critical Writing
for Business and
Self Improvement

***End of Document ***

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