DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING
THE CRITICAL THINKING COURSE APPROVAL FORM
In order for a course offering to be approved as a Critical Thinking course, it must first be submitted to
the General Education Committee (GEC) and then to the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) for
approval. Once approved, all sections of the course may be offered in subsequent semesters as fulfilling
that particular provision of General Education. The decision to offer the course as fulfilling the Critical
Thinking Competency is made by the department chair in consultation with the dean and provost.
To submit an existing course for approval as a Critical Thinking course, first obtain department approval,
then complete the attached form and submit it along with a cover sheet, syllabus, and supporting
documentation to the GEC, which will in turn submit approved courses to the University Curriculum
Committee (UCC) for final approval. Note: a new course must first be approved through the regular
curriculum routing process before it can be submitted for the Critical Thinking designation.
Rationale
A Critical Thinking course fosters the development of higher-level cognitive abilities; that is, intellectual
skills that are purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed. Critical thinking involves the ability to (a) develop
clearly articulated arguments, using evidence and/or systematic logical reasoning in support of a
conclusion or point of view; (b) identify relevant points of view and prioritize evidence and/or reasons in
support of a conclusion; and (c) describe the broader significance or context of an issue and/or apply logic
and reasoning to a novel problem or situation.
Guidelines
1. Critical Thinking assignments will be an integral part of the course.
 Students should practice forms of critical thinking typical of the discipline in which the course
is taught.
 Such assignments should be designed to develop and increase content knowledge.
2. There will be at least two Critical Thinking assignments, and they will be distributed throughout
the course.
 Assignments should focus on basic Critical Thinking skills and processes, including logical
inquiry, problem solving, decision making, and the scientific method.
 Assignments should focus on analytic processes and provide experiences in reasoning.
 Assignments should enhance students’ abilities to assess information, acquire and integrate
knowledge, construct relationships, and utilize argumentative skills.
3. Critical Thinking assignments will constitute a significant portion of the course grade and content.
At least 50% of the course grade and content should be based on such assignments.
4. There will be instruction in and evaluation of Critical Thinking assignments as they relate to the
discipline in which the course is taught.
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CRITICAL THINKING COURSE APPROVAL FORM
Course Prefix & Number
Course Title
Contact Person
Phone and/or e-mail
According to the guidelines, Critical Thinking Courses will have the following characteristics:
1. Critical Thinking assignments will be an integral part of the course.
Will students practice forms of Critical Thinking typical of the discipline? YES
NO
Will Critical Thinking assignments be designed to develop and increase
content knowledge? YES
NO
2. There will be at least two Critical Thinking assignments, and they will be distributed
throughout the course.
For each criterion in the list below, fill in the number of such assignments and then describe
how those assignments meet that criterion (the gray boxes for the descriptions will expand
as needed; please note that Microsoft Word’s spell checker does not work in this instance).
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments that develop clearly articulated arguments,
using evidence and/or systematic logical reasoning in support
of a conclusion or point of view ......................................................................
Description:
Assignments that identify relevant points of view and prioritize
evidence and/or reasons in support of a conclusion .......................................
Description:
Assignments that describe the broader significance or context of an
issue and/or apply logic and reasoning to a novel problem or situation ..........
Description:
TOTAL ..........................................................................................................
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3. Critical Thinking assignments will constitute a significant portion of the course grade
and content.
What percent of the final grade will be based on Critical Thinking assignments?
4. There will be instruction in and evaluation of Critical Thinking assignments as they
relate to the discipline in which the course is taught.
In the list below, check those types of instruction and/or assignments/handouts that will be
used in the course.
Assignment instruction
Evaluation instruction
Other (describe below*)
*Description of Other forms of instruction and evaluation:
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