Learning Design
1. Discuss the inter-relationship of critical thinking components.
2. In this 4000 level (fourth year) course, students are introduced to critical thinking and how it used in policing and police studies.
The working definition and concept map of critical thinking for Police Studies is identified by Sharon Barter Trenholm this way: Critical thinking in policing and police studies begins with encountering a situation or dilemma with an open mind, curiosity, and the desire to provide the best possible response.
Reliable, applicable information is gathered by using observations, collecting evidence, questioning, and discussing the situation with coworkers and other stakeholders. A decision is achieved after weighing and placing the applicable priority on the evidence to arrive at a decision.
Throughout this process the individual must monitor and be aware of their internal reactions, biases, and beliefs, and suspending these as appropriate.
The adopted decision must be justified and articulated. Each of these components are shown on the map.