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Catharine Coleborne,
Hamish Ford,
Annika Herb,
and
Marguerite Johnson
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone interested in the humanities, or answering questions about being human. You don’t need any previous experience. You can use the hashtag #HASS1000 to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- Critical and ethical thinking
- Epistemologies
- Media and visual representations
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Reviews summary
Engaging introduction to human existence
According to learners, this course is a largely positive and highly engaging exploration of human existence, serving as an excellent introduction to the humanities. Students consistently praise the instructor's clarity and passion, making complex ideas accessible and thought-provoking. While it covers a broad range of topics, providing a foundational overview, some learners noted it offers breadth over significant depth, which is typical for an introductory level. Overall, it encourages deep reflection and is ideal for anyone seeking to understand what it means to be human.
Explores a wide range of topics, providing an overview.
"The course touches upon many interesting areas of human thought, giving a good general sense of the humanities."
"I found it offered a great panorama of human concepts, though individual topics were necessarily brief due to the scope."
"While I would have liked more depth in certain philosophical schools, I understand it's an introductory course covering many ideas."
Provides relevant readings that enhance understanding.
"The supplementary readings were well-chosen and added much to the lectures, deepening my understanding."
"I enjoyed the selected texts; they weren't overly academic and supported the themes well."
"Some readings were quite dense, requiring focus, but ultimately rewarding for the effort I put in."
Provides a solid, welcoming foundation for new learners.
"As someone entirely new to the humanities, this was the perfect starting point for me; it never felt overwhelming."
"It clearly lays out the fundamentals without overwhelming jargon, which made it very approachable."
"I never felt lost; the course truly lives up to its 'introduction' title and is perfect for novices."
Encourages profound self-reflection on human existence.
"This course genuinely made me think deeply about what it means to be human and my place in the world."
"I appreciate how it challenged my perspectives and opened new ways of seeing the world around me."
"The concepts discussed were so thought-provoking that they stayed with me long after the modules were completed."
The lecturer makes complex topics accessible and captivating.
"The instructor's passion for the subject truly shines through and makes the lectures engaging, even on challenging topics."
"I found the professor's delivery incredibly clear and easy to follow, making abstract concepts much more comprehensible."
"Her ability to connect ancient philosophy and contemporary issues was brilliant and really held my attention throughout."
Activities
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We're preparing activities for
What Does It Mean to Be Human? An Introduction to the Humanities.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete What Does It Mean to Be Human? An Introduction to the Humanities will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
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Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
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Provides a practical guide to critical thinking, covering the essential skills and tools needed to think clearly and effectively. Chaffee leading expert in critical thinking and his book valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their critical thinking skills.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of critical thinking, covering the essential skills and techniques needed to think effectively. Paul leading expert in critical thinking and his book valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their critical thinking skills.
Provides a comprehensive overview of critical thinking, covering the essential skills and concepts needed to think clearly and rationally. Facione leading expert in critical thinking and his book is widely used in schools and universities around the world.
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Provides a clear and concise introduction to critical thinking, covering the basic concepts and skills needed to think effectively. Sternberg leading expert in intelligence and cognitive psychology and his book valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their critical thinking skills.
Provides a collection of essays on critical thinking and argumentation, covering a wide range of topics. Baum leading expert in critical thinking and his book valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the subject.
Provides a comprehensive overview of philosophical concepts and methods, covering a wide range of topics. Baggini leading philosopher and his book valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the subject.
Classic work in the philosophy of science. Popper's book provides a rigorous and insightful discussion of the nature of scientific reasoning.
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Provides a comprehensive overview and critical assessment of Popper's philosophy of critical rationalism.
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Explores the relationship between thinking and being, and argues that critical thinking is essential for understanding the world around us.
Presents a collection of common cognitive biases and thinking errors. Each chapter is concise and explains a specific bias with illustrative examples, making it an accessible read for anyone looking to recognize and avoid pitfalls in their own thinking. It's a good starting point for gaining a broad understanding of cognitive biases.
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Explores the cognitive processes involved in thinking, and provides practical advice on how to improve your critical thinking skills.
Provides a foundational understanding of the two systems that drive the way we think: System 1 (fast, intuitive, and emotional) and System 2 (slow, deliberate, and logical). Understanding these systems is crucial for recognizing cognitive biases that affect critical thinking. It is highly relevant for all levels and serves as excellent background reading.
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Challenges many of our inherent biases and misconceptions about the world using data and statistics. It's an excellent resource for developing a more data-driven and less emotionally influenced approach to understanding complex issues, directly enhancing critical thinking skills by highlighting the importance of evidence. This is valuable for all audiences, particularly in today's information-saturated environment.
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This widely used textbook in critical thinking courses at the college level. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject, covering topics such as argument analysis, deductive and inductive reasoning, and fallacies. It includes numerous exercises to practice critical thinking skills and solid reference tool for students and instructors.
Focuses on the importance of asking probing questions to evaluate arguments and claims effectively. It practical guide for developing strong analytical skills and is often used as a textbook in critical thinking courses. It is highly relevant for undergraduate and graduate students.
Carl Sagan's बुक powerful defense of science and reason against pseudoscience and irrationality. It introduces the 'Baloney Detection Kit,' a set of tools for skeptical thinking and evaluating claims. This is an inspiring read for all audiences, particularly relevant for navigating misinformation in the contemporary world.
While not strictly a critical thinking book, 'Influence' is essential for understanding how we can be influenced by others. Recognizing these principles of persuasion is vital for critically evaluating messages and making independent decisions. is highly recommended for professionals and anyone interested in the psychology behind decision-making.
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Is designed to help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It offers a structured approach with exercises and examples, making it suitable for high school and early undergraduate students. It can serve as a helpful resource for building foundational thinking skills.
Focuses on the role of critical thinking in argumentation. Elder leading expert in critical thinking and her book provides a practical guide to evaluating arguments and making sound judgments.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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Time
9 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
The University of Newcastle Australia
Instructors
Catharine Coleborne
Hamish Ford
Annika Herb
Marguerite Johnson
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