Competency in Critical Thinking

To be competent in this area, students need to be able to evaluate data, mathematical equations, literature, essays, and other information sources, and be able to analyze them in such a way that they are understandable to them, and whomever they want to share this information with.  It is necessary for students to dig deep below the surface of whatever they are analyzing in order to find its deeper meaning, from which can emerge a fuller understanding of what they are considering.  Students should not limit themselves to one train of thought, but should be able to incorporate many different ways of viewing something,in order to develop a well rounded perspective.  Most importantly:

• Critical thinkers should be able to interpret concepts in many different ways.
  
• Critical thinkers should be able to use this skill to be independent problem solvers.

My first proof of competency in this area is an essay I wrote in an English course about a poem by the Romantic poet William Wordsworth entitled "Lines Written in Early Spring."  In this paper i analyze and interpret this poem stanza by stanza, deciphering its meaning in my own words. 

My second proof of competency in this area is another essay I wrote for an English course.  The paper centers on Jamaica Kincaid's novella, A Small Place.  When reading this piece, many people criticize Kincaid for attacking white people and tourists for exploiting her homeland, Antigua.  However, I argue that this sort of attack that Kincaid uses is necessary in order to move forward and begin the healing process.  Once again I use my problem solving skills in order to analyze Kincaid's text in order to better understand why she wrote such harsh things.