Spring 2010 Critical Thinking First Field Notes
Return to Critical Thinking
After our first class, I asked you to be on the look out for "reflective deliberative contexts" that arise in everyday life. Noticing this will help you understand the basic concepts of the course and see opportunities for applying the skills in the course every day.
On this page, I'd like you to report 1-3 examples from your field observations of reflective deliberative contexts. A simple report could begin, "I was at the COG and people at the table started talk about ...." Then try to focus on the specific reasons or explanations you observed during the discussion. Keep it brief, but feel free to comment on the exchange if something comes to mind after you finish your description. Follow the pattern below on section headings
Contents
(Ally)
Field Observation 1 My dance team captains told us that wearing red tshirts to our dance clinic on Saturday would be the best thing to wear. The reasoning was so the girls who were being taught by us (all wearing blue tshirts) could easily tell us apart.
Field Observation 2 My bottle of body wash says that it gives you the "cleanest, freshest, and healthiest skin." Its reasoning is that it is packed with natural, organic, US-sourced ingredients and hasn't been tested on animals.
Field Observation 3 I just read a fitness article that claimed that running on a trail or another type of uneven ground provides better workout results than running on a flat surface. The reasoning was that running on uneven ground challenges you to use your core more for balance, and that should make your core stronger.
(Samantha)
Field Observation 1 Listening to friends talk about football, one claimed that the Raiders would be much better with a different Quarter Back. His rational was that the current QB is a ball hog and does not work hard.
Field Observation 2 When reading an online news journal,I saw that they claimed that Marijuana should be legalized. They supported their claim saying that it would be financially beneficial for the government.
Field Observation 3 My Sociology book asserted that people with weaker ties to others in their community, also tend to have more ties. This is because weaker ties take less time and effort than strong ties, so you can keep up with more of them.
(Jordan)
Field Observation 1 My friend was offered $15 a person to drive a group of people from my dorm up to Mt. Spokane. Although he was going to make more than gas would cost, his rational was that he is being paid for his time.
Field Observation 2 My friend thinks that blueberry italian soda's are healthy. He says this because there is a fruit flavoring in it, and everyone knows that fruit is healthy.
Field Observation 3 Last night my friend was complaining about Valentines Day. I realized that some people are not able to let other people be happy if they are not happy.
(Nick H)
Field Observation 1 - Political commentators are predicting that Democrat Martha Coakley may lose the US Senate election in Massachusetts to her Republican challenger. The explanation for this potential upset is that voters in Massachusetts are displeased with the Democrats' national agenda.
Field Observation 2 - My friends thinks that the movie "Avatar" is an amazing movie. His rational is that the special effects were fantastic.
Field Observation 3 - My friend thinks that Jay Leno shouldn't take The Tonight Show back from Conan O'Brien. His rational is that Jay Leno isn't funny.
