Thinking Critically in College Workshop

Giving Our Students the Academic GPS System They Need to Navigate College

Even our most capable students often arrive unprepared for the academic demands of college courses. They need to be taught to interrogate information—examine unstated assumptions, compare alternative explanations, weigh evidence, and consider implications, among other critical thinking skills. How do we do this, and how can we do it more effectively?

In this workshop, participants will do a deep dive into the core components of critical thinking and then engage in exercises to develop pedagogical strategies for giving students the skills they need to succeed in college, and beyond. Participants are encouraged to bring with them a sample assignment prompt from one of their courses, for discussion and workshopping.

Participants will receive a copy of Thinking Critically in College:  The Essential Handbook for Student Success (Radius Book Group, 2023), authored by Prof. Louis E. Newman, the workshop facilitator.

Where and When?

Location: CDS 1646, 665 Commonwealth Ave, Boston 02215.

Date: Friday, May 3, 1-3pm

Light refreshments will be served.

Who is the Workshop Facilitator?

Professor Louis E. Newman is the former Dean of Academic Advising and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Stanford University. At Stanford his responsibilities included overseeing the undergraduate advising program, new student orientation programs, a summer bridge program, and the university’s academic progress review system. During his time at Stanford, he expanded the advising program, promoted a holistic approach to academic advising, and advocated for liberal education.

He is also the John M. and Elizabeth W. Musser Professor of Religious Studies, Emeritus, at Carleton College, where he taught for thirty-three years.  During his tenure at Carleton, he also served as an Associate Dean of the College and as Director of the Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching. Louis Newman is also a  scholar of Jewish ethics who has published several books in that field. His most recent book is Thinking Critically in College:  The Essential Handbook for Student Success (Radius Book Group, 2023), which guides students through the transition from high school to college-level academic work.

Please register for the workshop here!