Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Critical thinking and reasoning are fundamental skills required for rational, evidence-based argumentation. These high order skills are not just necessary for academic studies, but are actively sought by business employers seeking prospective employees with strong reasoning and problem solving skills to ensure continuation of operational productivity. Moreover, educators often demand students to construct cohesive, logically structured expositions to test theoretical knowledge; consequently, this unit aims to explicitly teach components of reasoned argumentation. By scrutinising the anatomy of an argument, students will learn to identify elements of reasoning; distinguish characteristics of varying types of arguments; and recognise elements of faulty reasoning.
Application of this knowledge will enable students to produce reasoned argumentation and possess the ability to critically analyse and evaluate credibility of various arguments in business contexts. Furthermore, within this robust and inquiring environment, students will also develop skills of information processing, problem solving and creative thinking. Finally, the teaching of metacognitive strategies will encourage students to reflect and assess the efficacy of their higher order thinking strategies, a necessary attribute of lifelong learners.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 Taylors College Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) apply knowledge of logic to engage in robust methods of questioning and production of credible argumentation; (2) recognise the function of language in relation to ambiguity and types of claim using various text genres; (3) identify techniques of faulty reasoning, assumptions and bias to critically evaluate validity of argumentation of a variety of written and spoken texts; (4) communicate clear, cohesive and logical argumentation; (5) 5. demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex issues with
reasoned justification and with a degree of intellectual independence.; and (6) evaluate divergent perspectives and generate new ideas to address complex business discipline
related problems in collaborative learning situations..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class analysis; (2) project; and (3) debate. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Nick Letch
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- enrolment inthe Pre-Masters Program Business
- Contact hours
- 60 hours face-to-face contact comprising 12* tutorial/workshops and 12* collaborative learning sessions.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.