Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fundamentals of Critical Thinking Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

Module 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking

• a Definition and nature of critical thinking
• b Barriers to critical thinking
• c Critical thinking Process

Module 2: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• a Understanding and overcoming cognitive biases
• b techniques to enhance Critical thinking skills: brainstorming, Mind Mapping, Socratic questioning and SWOT Analysis
• c Practical application: case studies and analysis of ethical dilemmas in specific professions (business, media, healthcare, etc.)

Text Books

• Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Insight Assessment.
• Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). Critical thinking: Concepts and tools (7th ed.). Foundation for Critical Thinking.
• Halpern, D. F. (2014). Thought and knowledge: An introduction to critical thinking (5th ed.). Psychology Press.
• Moore, B. N., & Parker, R. (2018). Critical thinking (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Cognitive Biases and Decision-Making
• Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Ariely, D. (2008). Predictably irrational. HarperCollins.
• Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.

Reference Books

• Critical Thinking Techniques and Tools
• Buzan, T. (2018). Mind map mastery. Watkins.
• Osborn, A. F. (1953). Applied imagination: Principles and procedures of creative problem-solving. Scribner.
• Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). The miniature guide to Socratic questioning. Foundation for Critical Thinking.
• Hill, T., & Westbrook, R. (1997). SWOT analysis: It’s time for a product recall. Long Range Planning, 30(1), 46–52.
• Critical Thinking, Ethics, and Case Studies
• Boss, J. A. (2021). Ethics for life: An interdisciplinary and multicultural introduction (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Ruggiero, V. R. (2019). The art of thinking: A guide to critical and creative thought (11th ed.). Pearson.
• Johnson, R. H., & Blair, J. A. (2016). Logical self-defense (2nd ed.). Idea Press.
• Weston, A. (2018). A rulebook for arguments (5th ed.). Hackett Publishing. Topics for Internals: Case Studies & Ethical Dilemmas
• 1 Ethical Decision-Making in Business: A Case Study
• 2 Media Ethics and Critical Thinking: Fake News and Misinformation
• 3 Ethical Challenges in Healthcare: Patient Autonomy vs Medical Authority
• 4 Workplace Ethics and Decision-Making: A Critical Analysis
• 5 An Ethical Dilemma from Personal or Professional Experience Application-Oriented & Contemporary Topics
• 1 Critical Thinking in the Age of Social Media
• 2 Role of Critical Thinking in Combating Misinformation
• 3 Critical Thinking and Leadership Skills
• 4 Artificial Intelligence and Human Judgment: A Critical Perspective
• 5 Importance of Critical Thinking in Democratic Citizenship Activity-Based / Experiential Internals
• 1 Group Case Analysis Using Socratic Questioning
• 2 Problem-Solving Exercise Using Brainstorming and Mind Mapping
• 3 SWOT Analysis of Career Choices
• 4 Role-Play on Ethical Decision-Making in the Workplace
• 5 Reflection Journal on Personal Cognitive Biases