Pensamiento crítico y ético: reflexiones sobre las grandes preguntas (de 13 a 15 años)

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):

Weeks of Tue 24 December-Mon 6 January: NO CLASSES
	• I am taking two weeks vacation. Classes will resume from Tue 7 January.
	• Outschool will not charge you for these weeks. You do not need to Pause the class.

Week of Tue 7-Mon 13 January: Journalism
	• What purpose does journalism serve in our society?
	• What could motivate someone to do journalism?
	• Is there any way to make sure people hear true news rather than fake news?
	• How has social media changed journalism?
	• How can you tell if a news story is biased?
	• Should journalists have immunities from certain things to enable them to do their job?

Week of Tue 14-Mon 20 January: Peer Pressure
	• Why do people feel like they have to do what others are doing, even if they don’t want to?
	• Is it wrong to pressure someone into doing something?
	• Is peer pressure different for kids and adults?
	• How has social media contributed to peer pressure?
	• Would the world be better or worse with no peer pressure?
	• Should you care what other people think?

Week of Tue 21-Mon 27 January: Bio-engineering
	• How is genetic engineering different to how humans have bred animals and plants in the past?
	• Is it a good idea to use bio-engineeering to control dangerous species, like making mosquitoes that can’t spread disease?
	• If we could make animal species more intelligent, should we do that?
	• What might happen if only rich people could afford bio-engineering for themselves or their children?
	• How could bio-engineering make the world a better place?
lifespans?

Week of Tue 28 January-Mon 3 February: Opinions versus Facts
	• Why is it important to know if what you’re seeing is a fact or an opinion?
	• Why do people post opinions as though they are facts?
	• How can you tell if a website is trustworthy?
	• Are some types of opinions more or less okay than others?
	• Why do hurtful opinions spread so easily online?
	• Should social media companies stop people posting hurtful opinions?

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