What is it?
Independent and Critical Thinkers
| Attribute Dimension | University of Glasgow graduates... |
|---|---|
| Academic | Identity, define and assess complex issues and ideas in a researchable form |
| Personal | Exercise critical judgement in evaluating sources of information and constructing meaning |
| Transferable | Apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking and ideas to problem solving |
How will my degree develop it?
How will my degree develop it?
One of the key aims of higher education is to teach you to think for yourself. Unlike school, you’ll often find at university that you are expected to work independently and carry out your own research to develop your disciplinary understanding.
University teaches you that there aren’t always ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answers or perspectives on a problem: in fact, clear-cut answers to complex issues are very rare indeed.
You learn to identify the key components of issues – core questions such as ‘what parties are involved?’ and ‘what is at stake?’ –and formulate a question which can be investigated in a methodical, academic manner.You learn to exercise critical judgement in evaluating arguments, and identify biases and logical flaws. And in time you learn to voice your own opinions and back them up with rigorous demonstration and solid evidence.
University doesn’t teach you the ‘right’ answers – it trains you to see the whole picture and reach your own conclusions. And as you become more practised in doing so, you’ll find your critical faculties creeping in to your everyday decision making and evaluation – ensuring you’re well equipped for the challenges of life beyond your degree.
How else can I develop it?
How else can I develop it?
Independent and Critical thinkers need to be able to consider arguments from all angles and offer creative solutions to problems. Researching and writing essays are excellent practice in doing so, but it can be really useful to put your abilities to the test in other contexts as well:
- The GU Dialectic Society holds weekly open debates on contemporary and contentious issues – head along and watch the world’s oldest debating society in action
- SRC council members consider all sorts of issues affecting student life and help to formulate academic policy for the University – why not stand for election?
- The Student Learning Service offer year-round workshops on developing critical analysis skills – see what’s coming up on their website