Read on for descriptions about these unique course offerings. Here is a teaser.....our critical thinking workshops include Graphic Novels, Dr. Seuss, and Board/Brain Games......
Critical Thinking & the Graphic Novel, Ron Samul - This workshop teaches critical thinking through the exploration of graphic novels and comics. Students are asked questions such as : Why are stories important? Why are some stories told through the form of comics? Students explore graphic comic stories, graphic journalism, super heroes, social commentaries, political cartoons, and propaganda.
Critical Thinking & Dr. Seuss, Melissa Shafner - This workshop examines 4 stories created by Dr. Seuss and the theme underlying each story. For example, students study the political views and also psychological elements embedded in the stories like the id, ego and superego. Students learn about the life of Dr. Seuss and his style of writing through the stories The Cat in the Hat, The Sneetches, Yertle the Turtle and McElligot's Pool.
Critical Thinking through Brain Games, Jennifer Sullivan and Donna Ogle - This workshop explores the important question 'Why?' through role playing, ethical scenarios and board games. Students are asked their opinion about thought provoking ethical dilemmas found in The Ethicist section of the New York Times Magazine. Students also practice social communication skills and creative and critical thinking skills by playing brain games such as Apples to Apples, The Whole Brain Game, and Fail!.
Developmental Critical Thinking, Elizabeth Emanuelson - This workshop allows students to practice foundation skills such as reading and writing while introducing new ideas, research and critical thinking. Students choose a topic: Olympics, Broadway or Sports and are guided through the stages of writing a research paper. Students have created outlines, used the internet to access resources on the Mitchell College library webpage, and are discussing how to elaborate and support an argument/thesis.
