Multilevel, Systematic, Critical Thinking
In high school, I excelled at math and science, which use very structured processes for problem solving. Solutions are found by following steps, procedures, formulas, conducting experiments with variables, and using the scientific approach. These are very good processes for specific and technical problem solving and are useful for analyzing data and information. They are not as good for broad or nonspecific issues that may have more than one answer.
In IDST 1114, one of the major themes was to look at issues from various perspectives. The best example of this was “Introducing Religious Studies” by Grace Kao. She describes how the study of religion can be examined from an interdisciplinary approach and identifies the following eight perspectives:
1.) Historical
2.) Anthropological
3.) Philosophical
4.) Phenomenological
5.) Psychological
6.) Sociological
7.) Literary or hermeneutical
8.) Theological.
She points out that there are other approaches that could also be taken. The important lesson is that each perspective provides added information and insight to the issue. Virginia Woolf in “A Room of One’s Own” also points out the need for more than one point of view and suggests that we look for alternatives to the dominant point of view. She makes this discovery when realizing that you can not find “truth” in the British Museum. She further believes that we should not limit thinking or writing when she states “Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” There is no limit to learning and to thinking other than what you set.
One of the best handouts that was used in IDST 1114 was “Becoming a Critic Of Your Thinking” by Dr. Linda Elder and Dr. Richard Paul. They provide specific ideas to help with the thinking process. They recommend the following four items:
1.) Clarify your thinking.
2.) Stick to the point.
3.) Question questions.
4.) Be reasonable.
I think I will use this handout frequently and refer back to it as a reference tool.
Artifacts:
I love “Ah-ha Moments,” when truth is revealed, like when it’s discovered that Bruce Willis is actually dead in the movie “Sixth Sense” or when you watch the final scenes in “Romeo and Juliet” and know the tragedy must occur. Both of these give you a witness point of view that you wouldn’t have had before.
I am also intrigued by concepts that are offered in lyrics, such as “Imagine” by John Lennon. This song reminds me of some of the lessons Ishmael taught to his student, the narrator. I wonder what would the world be like without "Mother Culture."
Imagine
By John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...
Imagine there's no countries,
It isn’t hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...
Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I’m a dreamer,
but I’m not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.
My Work:
Introducing Religious Studies
Knowledge is Learned by the Individual
IDST1114 Information
IDST1114 Introduction to Final Project
Multifaceted Communication
Cultural, Political, Legal Literacy
Metacognative Reflection
Final Thoughts
Works Cited
