Exploring Critical Sociological Thinking

Dados Bibliográficos

ID11062363
AutoresLiz Grauerholz (0000-0001-6559-5381, autor correspondente), Sharon Bouma-Holtrop
Ano2003
Volume31
Fascículo4
Páginas485
Data de publicação2003-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoTeaching Sociology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0092-055X • E-ISSN: 1939-862X
EditoraSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2307/3211372
OpenAlexW2000760264
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas40
Referências citadas3

Much has been written about enhancing students' critical thinking abilities, but very little empirical research on this important learning outcome exists within the sociological literature. Indeed, there is little consensus among sociologists (and non-sociologists) about what critical thinking is. In this paper we review ways in which sociologists have conceptualized and measured critical thinking and introduce a new concept--critical sociological thinking--that embodies the type of higher-level thinking many sociologists want to help students attain. Critical sociological thinking refers to the ability to logicaly and reasonably evaluate an argument or problem while maintaining an awareness of and sensitivity to social forces and contexts. Further, we develop a scale that can be used to measure critical sociological thinking and demonstrate its usefulness in the empirical analysis of student writing. Implications for future research and teaching are discussed

Critical theory · Critical thinking · Epistemology · Pedagogy · Social science · Sociology · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences · Philosophy · Service-Learning and Community Engagement