Critical Thinking Skills for University Success Course Syllabus

Overview: This course introduces learners to essential critical thinking tools and concepts needed for academic and professional success. Over six modules, each requiring approximately 3–4 hours of engagement, you'll explore cognitive psychology, logical reasoning, and decision-making strategies. The curriculum blends theory with practical exercises, enabling you to recognize biases, interpret data, and evaluate claims critically. Total time commitment: around 20 hours. Lifetime access allows self-paced learning on Coursera.

Module 1: Introduction to Mindware

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Importance of mental tools for reasoning
• Foundations of rational thinking
• Common intuitive errors in judgment
• Reframing everyday reasoning mistakes

Module 2: The Psychology of Decision Making

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Understanding heuristics and their influence
• Recognizing cognitive biases
• Framing effects in choices
• Overconfidence in personal and professional decisions

Module 3: Causal Reasoning

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Distinguishing correlation from causation
• Identifying confounding variables
• Designing experiments to test causality
• Evaluating causal claims in research

Module 4: The Power of Statistics

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Basic principles of probability
• Understanding base rates and regression to the mean
• Applying Bayesian reasoning
• Solving real-world problems using statistical logic

Module 5: Science and Skepticism

Estimated time: 4 hours

• The scientific method and hypothesis testing
• Principles of scientific skepticism
• Critically assessing media claims

Module 6: Application and Integration

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Integrating mental tools for complex decisions
• Applying frameworks to real-world dilemmas
• Decision-making in law, business, and personal relationships

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic English reading comprehension
• No prior knowledge of psychology or statistics required
• Openness to reflective thinking and self-assessment

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Apply fundamental principles of critical thinking to everyday decisions
• Recognize and mitigate cognitive biases
• Use logical and probabilistic reasoning to interpret data
• Evaluate scientific claims with greater skepticism and rigor
• Make better personal and professional decisions using structured mental tools