Critical Thinking
The term "critical thinking" is used often and in a variety of settings. Frequently, at Empire State University, faculty may ask you to use critical thinking when completing your readings, writing your papers, or participating in discussions. Use the resources below to better understand the concept of critical thinking and to learn more about practical strategies that you can apply to your academic studies.
The Critical Thinking Community – This link takes you to the Web site of the Foundation and Center for Critical Thinking, a non profit educational organization devoted to the advancement of critical thinking. This is a comprehensive site serving students, faculty and others interested in the study and improvement of critical thinking in society. The links listed take you to selected articles on this site.
- Learning the Art of Critical Thinking
- A Glossary of Critical Thinking Terms
- Thinking with Concepts
- Critical Thinking: Distinguishing Between Inferences and Assumptions
- The Elements of Reasoning
Successful planning requires making decisions about what we want to accomplish. Decision-making strategies are tools that help us reach our goals.
Goal Setting and Action Planning – This 28 minute video presented by Cambridge Educational Productions includes nine short sections that average three minutes each. You may pick and choose which sections you would like to watch or view the full video.
The video helps you establish criteria for creating attainable goals and objectives and shows you how to evaluate goals on the basis of these criteria.
Decision Making Strategies – This 23 minute video presented by Cambridge Educational Productions includes ten short sections that average two minutes each. You may pick and choose which sections you would like to watch or view the full video.
For additional support with critical thinking, or to learn more about the Introduction to Critical Thinking course offered at Empire State University, please contact the director of academic support in your region.
If you have links to critical thinking resources that you would like to share or suggestions for improving this Web site, please send them to Academic.Support@sunyempire.edu.