Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity:

· Textbook: Chapter 1, 2, 3

· Lesson

Introduction The journal is an essential assignment that is meant to sum up the conclusions you come to after having reflected on the readings in the text, the online lecture, discussion posts, including your own and those of your peers, and any outside material you consult. You will probably find that you do as much or more thinking than you do writing in responding to the journal prompts – and that is perfectly okay. In general, the weekly journal should meet the noted length requirement – not including the space needed for the prompts.

You may feel the need to write out longer reflections – and that is also okay. If you do feel the need for longer reflections, then, once you have written them out, try to edit them, reducing them to their essence.

Part of this course is process – training ourselves to think critically. Part of it is learning to understand how we think and why we think or believe what we think or believe. While the journal prompts will occasionally address the process, it will more often ask you to reflect on the hows and whys of what you know and believe – or what you think you know and believe.

Instructions For this journal assignment, briefly answer each of the following prompts:

· Critical Thinking

· After reading the required resources for this week and participating in the discussion, how do you define critical thinking? You will want to carry this definition with you, so keep it brief – perhaps 4 to 6 lines. You will find many definitions online – don’t be tempted to just quickly copy one; try to form your own so that it is meaningful to you.

· Heart of the Matter

· Considering just what is in this weeks’ readings, why do you think the authors (looking forward in the text) see Chapters 12, 13, and 14 as the “heart of the matter”?

· What do you think they mean by that?

· What two concepts do the authors say these chapters emphasize?

· How do you define these concepts?

· Why do you think the authors find these concepts important to critical thinking?

· Challenges & Insights

· What do you see as your greatest challenge for this session in general? For this class in particular?

· How do you think you can use the concepts in these first three chapters to help you meet these challenges as well as challenges in your personal life as a member of your family and your community?

If you include references to outside sources (beyond the textbook), make sure you cite them properly.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

· Length: 2-3 pages (not including title page or references page)

· 1-inch margins

· Double spaced

· 12-point Times New Roman font

· Title page

· References page (as needed)

Grading This activity will be graded using the Journal Grading Rubric.

Course Outcomes (CO): 1, 3, 6

Due Date: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday

Rubric

Journal Grading Rubric – 35 pts

Journal Grading Rubric – 35 pts
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength	5.0 ptsMeets length requirement0.0 ptsDoes not meet length requirement	5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Reflection	15.0 ptsReflection demonstrates a high degree of critical thinking in applying, analyzing, and evaluating key course concepts and theories from readings, lectures, media, discussions activities, and/or assignments. Insightful and relevant connections made through contextual explanations, inferences, and examples.12.75 ptsReflection demonstrates some degree of critical thinking in applying, analyzing, and/or evaluating key course concepts and theories from readings, lectures, media, discussions activities, and/or assignments. Connections made through explanations, inferences, and/or examples.11.25 ptsReflection demonstrates limited critical thinking in applying, analyzing, and/or evaluating key course concepts and theories from readings, lectures, media, discussions, activities, and/or assignments. Minimal connections made through explanations, inferences, and/or examples.9.0 ptsReflection lacks critical thinking. Superficial connections are made with key course concepts and course materials, activities, and/or assignments.0.0 ptsLittle or no reflection; copies or repeats text or lecture.	15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePersonal Growth	10.0 ptsConveys strong evidence of reflection on own work with a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. Demonstrates significant personal growth and awareness of deeper meaning through inferences made, examples, well developed insights, and substantial depth in perceptions and challenges. Synthesizes current experience into future implications.8.5 ptsConveys evidence of reflection on own work with a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. Demonstrates satisfactory personal growth and awareness through some inferences made, examples, insights, and challenges. Some thought of the future implications of current experience.7.5 ptsConveys limited evidence of reflection on own work in response to the self-assessment questions posed. Demonstrates less than adequate personal growth and awareness through few or simplistic inferences made, examples, insights, and/or challenges that are not well developed. Minimal thought of the future implications of current experience.6.0 ptsConveys inadequate evidence of reflection on own work in response to the self-assessment questions posed. Personal growth and awareness are not evident and/or demonstrates a neutral experience with negligible personal impact. Lacks enough inferences, examples, personal insights and challenges, and/or future implications are overlooked.0.0 ptsNo evidence of reflection.	10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Quality	5.0 ptsWell written and clearly organized using standard English, characterized by elements of a strong writing style and basically free from grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling errors.4.25 ptsAbove average writing style and logically organized using standard English with minor errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling.3.75 ptsAverage and/or casual writing style that is sometimes unclear and/or with some errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling.3.0 ptsPoor writing style lacking in standard English, clarity, language used, and/or frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling. Needs work.0.0 ptsLacks coherence; errors in grammar, usage and spelling interfere with readability and understanding to significant degree.	5.0 pts
Total Points: 35.0