Psyc 402-Critical Thinking Research Group-3 Credits

Instructor: Richard F. West, Ph.D.

Office: 206 Johnston Hall

Phone: 568 - 6502

Email: westrf@jmu.edu

Web Site: http://falcon.jmu.edu/~westrf

Research: Publications

Application and detailed outline of course

Recent critical thinking team pictures

Blackboard

Seminar Meeting Time: Fridays 2:30 - 4:00 PM

Seminar Meeting Place: Johnston Hall 204

Critical Thinking Skill: Understanding Environmental Problems (Tentative topic)

We will examine the relationship between critical thinking skills, myside biases, and thinking dispositions (i.e., thinking styles), and peopleπs decisions about environmental problems and dilemmas. People frequently must make decisions that pit large, resource depleting gains, against more modest, resource sustaining gains. Commercial fishermen often face such a dilemma. We will also look at the thought processes and moral dilemmas people face when their decisions involve a variety of tradeoffs. An informal seminar will be held on Fridays from 2:30-4:00 p.m. (Johnston-204) to discuss the study and related theoretical issues. For more information on this Psyc 402 (3 credits) opportunity, contact Dr. Rich West (568-6502; Johnston 206; westrf@jmu.edu).

Prerequisite:

∑ Psyc 211 & Permission of Instructor

Activities:

∑ 4-6 hours/week for data collection

∑ Friday seminar and preparation for seminar

∑ Writing assignment (to be determined by instructor and research team)