9A

"Everyone Should Think Critically"

Southern Connecticut State University requires all first-year students to enroll in a critical thinking course called, “Inquiry” which is part of the First Year Experience (FYE) Program.  This class is important because it helps students become comfortable with college level reading and the skills they need in order to succeed.  It is called Intellectual and Creative Inquiry because it helps students get used to the college routine of reading and writing creatively.  This course is similar to a freshman English class or philosophy course.

This week’s vocabulary word is “Critical Thinking” which relates to my Inquiry class.  This class has twenty-two students in it and our Professor is Professor Guarino.  Every week in this class we have assigned readings as well as blogging assignments.  The readings are usually online articles and we take notes on them.  Reading articles every week enhances ones reading skills and increases their knowledge on new and upcoming topics.  We also write blogs on different topics to discuss what we read, see in school and do for homework including reviewing websites. 

Writing blogs every week has made me take the time to use critical thinking because I have to go beyond my initial response to an article or website and discuss why I liked it, or disliked it and then also relate it to my personal experiences.  It is something that takes time and effort in order to put it into words so that you can create an interesting blog.

I have been applying the skills we learn in Inquiry class throughout my other college courses because it helps me with reading and writing skills.  Thinking creatively and outside the box is helpful, even outside the classroom and in everyday life.  For example, it helps with problem solving, making better decisions, and redefines the way we see things.  Below is a picture of a "scavenger hunt" assigned in Inquiry.  It was a fun experience running all over campus with students!  The photograph was taken in the Lounge in the Adanti Student Center.