Mikhail Suslov

Abstract

‘Teaching Critical Thinking at the ToRS: A Systematic Model’

Grounding on the reflections about teaching critical thinking in higher education, this project proposes a comprehensive model of training critical thinking for the whole study program at the ToRS on all levels, from the 1st semester to the MA level. This model consists of the orientation module on the necessity of critical thinking, a class on training source criticism, a module on historicizing contemporary problems, and a thematic elective course. The project identifies major problems of training critical thinking in higher education, such as the formalistic approach to the requirement of keeping a critical distance to research materials and theories, the problem of evaluation of critical thinking, the problem of subjectivity in teaching critical thinking, and the problem of addressing moral dilemmas. The project argues these problems could be resolved by raising awareness among the university professors that training critical thinking is an experiential activity of high societal and educational value, which should be systematically carried out throughout the whole study program.