Institute of Business, Science and Medical Arts, Inc.

COURSE SYLLABUS
School Year 2020-2021

Course Title ADVANCED CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21st CENTURY

Course Code BSC4

Units Earned 3 Units

Prerequisite None

Professor Pinkie M. Geronaga, MBA principalpinkie@gmail.com

Consultation/Lecture Tuesdays at 8:00am-10:00am via Schoology, Google Meet and Facebook Messenger
Period

Evaluation and Grading Attendance 5%

System Class activities 10%
Assignments 10%
Term paper 25%
Prelim Exam 15%
Midterm Exam 15%
Final Exam 20%
TOTAL 100%

Course Description
The course provides opportunities for students to discover patterns and extract meanings from emerging trends. It
aids in developing their critical and creative thinking skills- essential tools for decision making and understanding
“ethics of care”. Global trends in the 21st century are examined and are either accepted or rejected on a sound set
of criteria. Students will be asked to create and analyze scenarios that will challenge them to (1) formulate their
stances on issues or concerns; (2) propose interventions and; (3) formulate alternative futures. The students will
realize the interconnections between their neural connections and social realities.

Learning Objectives
 To acquire basic concepts about the networked world and to critically examine various local and
global issues.
 To cultivate a capacity for independent, critical and creative skills:
 To acquire basic skills in reasoning and communication;
 To demonstrate students’ competencies by participating in advocacies and collective activities
that will steer the world towards positive change.

Coverage for Prelim Exam

I. Introduction to Critical Thinking
Definition of Critical Thinking
Historical Evolution of Critical Thinking
Types of Thinking
 The Higher Order of Thinking Skills (HOTS)
6 Steps in Critical Thinking
6 Steps in Effective Thinking (IDEALS)
Benefits of Critical Thinking
Barriers to Critical Thinking
Characteristics of Critical Thinkers
The RED Model

II. Examining Trends and Fads

Trends and Fads
Megatrends and Game Changers
III. Understanding Local Networks
Relationships Within a Local Network
Intuitive Thinking and Strategic Analysis
IV. Neural and Social Networks
The Human Brain is Changing the World
The Individual Within Social Networks

Coverage for Midterm Exam

V. Information and Communication Technology
Introduction to ICT
History of ICT Development
ICT and Everyday Life
Digital Divides
VI. Democracy and Democratic Institutions
Examining the Foundation of Democracy
Defining Features of Democracy
The Practice of Democracy in the Philippines
Coverage for Final Exam
VII. Seven Global Networks: Globalization and Migration
Economic Globalization
Global Migration
Labor Present and Future Trends
VIII. Climate Change
Global Economic Trends and
Climate Change
Climate Change and Broad Solutions
Lifestyle Changes and Climate Action