The design of this course–both as a whole and with respect to each unit–is inspired by backward design, an Understanding-by-Design framework introduced by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe. You can find plenty of resources online about how to understand and implement this theory. Here is Grant Wiggins explaining the framework:
And here is a very short, accessible introduction of the basic idea of backward design:
Related is the distinction between formative and summative assessments, coupled with the distinction between learning and performance. Throughout the semester, students in this class do regular, relatively low-stakes assignments that are mostly about formative assessments and oriented toward learning.
To help the students to become better thinkers and recognize that there is always room for improvement in this regard, it’s important to cultivate metacognition and a growth mindset. This podcast from The Philosopher’s Zone gives a very illuminating and helpful analysis of critical thinking a skill-set that has multiple components:
The following podcasts by The Critical Thinking Initiative, which focuses on how to teach critical thinking in the higher-ed context, speak to that subject thoroughly.
To encourage the students to build a diverse ecosystem of critical thinkers around themselves, the instructor of this class also tries to cultivate an environment where both she and the students would feel comfortable to bring their authentic selves into the classroom and have honest conversations about difficult subjects. Brené Brown’s talk “Daring Classrooms” delivers a precious take on that subject. Here is its punchline: “risk and vulnerability are essential to courageous schools. A daring classroom is a place where both teachers and students commit to choosing courage over comfort, choosing what is right over what is fun, fast or easy and practicing values rather than professing them.” (The anonymous responses from the students in this class to this approach can be found here.)
And often times, we need to have conversations on hard subjects. Here is some insight about how to do that well in the classroom.