This class teaches critical thinking and ethical thinking skills. It also encourages and teaches mature and respectful conversation with people who may disagree or hold differing opinions. Classes are limited to a maximum of 4 students, so each one has plenty of opportunity to contribute their ideas and explanations.

Each week we will discuss a new topic (see list below). As class instructor I will use short story scenarios as prompts to pose various questions, and ask the students to share their thoughts. I do not offer any answers or my own opinions - it is up to the students to consider the topic and formulate their own critical appraisal. My role is to guide them to thinking about things from different viewpoints, and to discuss it with one another in a respectful manner. 

This is an ongoing class: every week the material is new and different. Students can stay enrolled for as long as they like. Students do not require any previous knowledge for this class. This class is similar to my class "Critical and Ethical Thinking - Let's Talk About Tricky Stuff" (ages 10-12), but with more advanced topics for students in the 13-15 year age range.

Students are required to have their video on at the start of each class for identification as per Outschool rules. Students are encouraged to participate in the full class with video on, but may turn it off if they wish.

Upcoming topics, with sample questions (we cover many more during the class):

Week of Tue 12-Mon 18 November: Rights, Privileges, Responsibilities
	• Do rights come with responsibilities? Always? Sometimes?
	• If a right can be restricted, does that make it a privilege?
	• If you have a right to something, do others have a responsibility to respect or enable that right?
	• Can a society function if everyone has rights but no responsibilities?
	• Is it okay if different societies have different ideas about what things are rights, privileges, and responsibilities, or should there be some ideal that applies to everyone?

Week of Tue 19-Mon 25 November: Robots
	• Are there any jobs that should never be done by robots?
	• If robots can make decisions, should they be held responsible if something goes wrong?
	• How could robots help solve big problems like climate change or poverty?
	• Could relying on robots in the future cause problems?
	• If we didn't give smart robots rights such as freedom and voting, would that be slavery?

Week of Tue 26 November-Mon 2 December: Points of View
	• Is it possible to understand someone else’s point of view without agreeing with it?
	• Is there such a thing as a completely “neutral” or “objective” point of view, or do we all see things a little differently?
	• Are there any situations where it’s impossible to say who’s right?
	• Can a point of view be “too different” to understand and respect?
	• When someone’s point of view goes against facts or evidence, how should we respond?

Week of Tue 3-Mon 9 December: Alien Invasion
	• Would aliens with the technology to travel to Earth be more likely to be hostile or friendly?
	• If aliens were trying to learn about us, what would be the most important things for them to know?
	• If aliens were peaceful, should we still be cautious about their arrival?
	• If aliens arrived but only wanted resources, would it be okay to share with them?
	• Should humans try to colonise other planets, knowing that we might one day seem like the invading aliens?

Week of Tue 10-Mon 16 December: Codes of Honour
	• What were some historical examples of codes of honour?
	• What were historical codes of honour meant to achieve?
	• Is there a difference between having a code of honour and just following the law?
	• What should happen if someone breaks a code of honour?
	• Is it more important to always follow your code of honour, or to be flexible depending on the situation?

Week of Tue 17-Mon 23 December: What Would Happen if?
	• What if you were the only person and everything else in the world was just your dream?
	• What if everybody lived to 1000 years old?
	• What if everyone had a twin who it was impossible to tell apart?
	• What if there was no money and everyone just shared what they had?
	• What if nobody agreed what time it was?

Weeks of Tue 24 December-Mon 6 January: NO CLASSES
	• I am taking two weeks vacation. Classes will resume from Tue 7 January.

Following weeks will be a new topic every week (updated here regularly).