Critical Thinking (film)
Lottie Dedinas
From multiplayer matches to couch co-op adventures, sometimes two (or more) heads are better than one. Here are six multiplayer video games to add to your collection for building community in the library and at home.
Discussions, questions, debates, follow. Nothing is black and white, especially history or world affairs. Our students learn that there are multiple sides to any problem. The film and its story serve as catalysts to teach students how to probe, to analyze, to synthesize, and to understand. This is preparation for survival skills and real-life experiences.
Foreign films offer a wonderful vehicle for this process for their subject matter reflects reality. The narrative has its basis on something that has happened. Seeing on the screen the unfolding of a situation, stimulates students to ask questions. This is the beginning of critical thinking.
Foreign films like these are structured on character and plot development. By watching these films and asking questions, students can be guided to explore new aspects of issues. In this way, critical thinking skills can be developed. Students are exposed to targeted questions and are encouraged to analyze through discussion, debate and further questioning. They are learning to think critically.
A former middle school teacher, Peter Gutierrez has spent the past 20 years developing curriculum as well as working in, and writing about, various branches of pop culture. You can sample way too many of his thoughts about media and media literacy via Twitter: @Peter_Gutierrez
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Critical thinking skills are essential for anyone working in the film industry, whether as a director, producer, writer, editor, or any other role. The film industry is a highly competitive, creative, and collaborative field that requires constant problem-solving, decision-making, and evaluation of ideas and outcomes. How can you develop and improve your critical thinking skills in the film industry? Here are some strategies to help you.
One of the best ways to develop your critical thinking skills in the film industry is to watch and analyze films, both your own and others'. Watching films can help you learn from different styles, genres, techniques, and perspectives, as well as identify strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, and gaps and solutions. Analyzing films can help you apply your knowledge, skills, and judgment to critique, compare, contrast, and synthesize information, as well as generate new ideas and insights. You can watch and analyze films individually or with others, such as peers, mentors, or experts, and use questions, feedback, and discussions to deepen your understanding and reflection.
Another way to develop your critical thinking skills in the film industry is to read and research various sources of information, such as books, articles, blogs, podcasts, interviews, reviews, and reports. Reading and researching can help you expand your knowledge, broaden your perspective, and update your trends and developments in the film industry. Reading and researching can also help you evaluate the credibility, relevance, and accuracy of information, as well as identify biases, assumptions, and arguments. You can read and research both general and specific topics related to the film industry, such as history, theory, practice, culture, and innovation, and use notes, summaries, and reviews to organize and communicate your findings.
A third way to develop your critical thinking skills in the film industry is to write and revise various types of texts, such as scripts, proposals, pitches, treatments, outlines, and reports. Writing and revising can help you express your ideas, opinions, and arguments clearly, logically, and persuasively, as well as demonstrate your creativity, originality, and vision. Writing and revising can also help you improve your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting, as well as check for errors, inconsistencies, and gaps. You can write and revise both for yourself and for others, such as clients, collaborators, or audiences, and use tools, feedback, and editing to enhance your quality and impact.
A fourth way to develop your critical thinking skills in the film industry is to collaborate and communicate with different people, such as colleagues, partners, clients, mentors, or experts. Collaborating and communicating can help you build relationships, trust, and rapport, as well as exchange ideas, information, and feedback. Collaborating and communicating can also help you work effectively in teams, manage conflicts, negotiate agreements, and resolve problems. You can collaborate and communicate both formally and informally, such as in meetings, workshops, presentations, or chats, and use skills, strategies, and tools to facilitate your interaction and cooperation.
A fifth way to develop your critical thinking skills in the film industry is to experiment and learn from various experiences, such as projects, challenges, opportunities, or failures. Experimenting and learning can help you test your ideas, hypotheses, and assumptions, as well as explore new possibilities, methods, and solutions. Experimenting and learning can also help you learn from your mistakes, successes, and feedback, as well as adapt to changing situations, needs, and expectations. You can experiment and learn both individually and collectively, such as in workshops, labs, or studios, and use methods, tools, and frameworks to plan, execute, and evaluate your actions and outcomes.
The guest lecture was divided into three sections. First, I gave a short lecture about the research informing the design of the game. I talked about the psychological research into how misinformation does damage, and how inoculating messages can prevent that damage. I then discussed the important role of critical thinking in inoculation, and introduced my ever expanding taxonomy of denialist techniques.
We ended with a role playing exercise, simulating a conversation between a climate denying cranky uncle and someone trying to convince the uncle of the reality of climate change. The idea was that the cranky uncle would use the fallacies explained in the game, and the other person would respond by pointing out where the argument went wrong. To demonstrate for the class, I played a cranky uncle and Professor Burls responded to my cranky arguments, explaining the science and politely pointing out the fallacies in my arguments. Confession time: this is actually my favorite part of doing guest lectures with climate classes and I had to control my competitive urge to go all out to win the argument!
It seems that those who think that increasing CO2 concentrations from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation are not causing most of the climate changes we are beginning to experience are also denying physics and chemistry.
All of the meteorological instrumentation and ice core analysis, and the data they generate which are the basis and calibration of climate models, and all of the theory that informs the climate models, are based on the laws of physics and chemistry. These same scientific principles of physics and chemistry and modeling are also the basis for the weather reports we depend on, reports that have become far more accurate and further into the future than a few decades ago.
Now it may be that the variation in the future scenarios predicted by the models may lead to wishful thinking that the science is uncertain. However, while the future cannot be predicted with complete precision, the measured data and the modeled predictions, based on the laws of physics and chemistry, are nonetheless accurate in supporting the hypothesis that climate disruption is real and caused by human use of fossil fuels.
Also based on these same scientific principles of physics and chemistry are the logic and design of engines, motors, cars and trucks, refrigerators, air conditioners, turbines that generate electricity, etc.
An introduction to the process of critical thinking through analysis of how Jews are represented in the medium of film. In particular, students will consider how this representation is affected by ideologies of race, class, gender and sexuality. Emphasis on the modern history and culture of Jews in America, Europe, Israel and elsewhere. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills A3 Critical Thinking.)
The Media Education Foundation (MEF) produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical thinking about the social, political, and cultural impact of American mass media.
Film and Media Studies is designed to develop critical thinking and screenwriting skills while fostering a humanistic and social scientific understanding of the media. Students combine hands-on courses in scriptwriting, with critical studies of the visual media as an art form and social force. This major is particularly encouraged for students who intend to transfer to university film and media programs or pursue careers that demand a high level of visual literacy, analytic and writing skills. The production of digital film and broadcast television are taught through the Radio, Television and Film Production program.
The Film and Media Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.
Career OptionsDirector, Entertainment Writer or Editor, Producer, Screenwriter, Script Supervisor, Story EditorSome career options may require more than two years of college study. Classes beyond the associate degree may be required to fulfill some career options or for preparation for transfer to a university program.
This course is an introduction to the system of film, and its various forms, styles, and genres. Students will study a wide variety of films to further an understanding of the conventions by which motion pictures address social, and aesthetic experience. Through the class lectures, readings, and screenings, students will be introduced to the multiple functions of film, conventional and alternative ways of reading a film text, and will develop the critical tools necessary for thinking and writing about film as both an art form, and as a medium that reflects popular culture.
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