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Oct 23, 2026
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STSK 1102 - How to Study and Think Critically
Credits: 2
Catalog Description
Introducing the concepts and methods needed to increase study efficiency and improve critical thinking, the course acquaints students with better study habits and the processes and practices of critical thinking. Specific areas covered are listening, textbook reading, time scheduling, notetaking, test-preparation and test-taking strategies, project and paper development, library skills, basic study systems improvement, memory processes and strategies, and models of critical thinking. The course is designed to improve students’ knowledge and application of effective study and cognitive / thinking strategies so they can succeed in college and in any other learning environment.
Recommended Skills, Abilities, or Coursework: Students should have college-level reading and writing skills. Students will also benefit from a desire to improve academic study strategies for college-level coursework.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area(s) fulfilled: Goal 02: Critical Thinking
Additional fee to student: No
Learner Outcomes
- Learn independently using the resources of texts, instructors, library, advisors and other resources of the college and the community.
- Engage in active learning in a variety of college courses using critical thinking skills such as analyzing assignments, evaluating sources or lecture materials, and synthesizing information from various sources such as lectures and textbook reading.
- Value life-long learning as a process of discovery and planned action in both formal and informal settings.
- Use a variety of learning and critical thinking strategies as a way of understanding self and and the diversity of others.
- Understand and apply to study skills one or more models of critical thinking, such as Bloom’s Taxonomy; OR, use a model of critical thinking, such as Bloom’s Taxonomy, to select the best study skills for specific classes and/or situations.
- Understand and be able to explain and use the critical-thinking skills (or concepts) of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis.
- Think critically about the learning process by establishing and evaluating personal goals as well as the strategies best suited for achieving those goals.
- Understand and communicate effectively to others strategies for learning in college and factors that influence learning.
- Assume responsibility for one’s own education and for one’s actions that affect others.
- Become a critical consumer and participant in higher education.
- Exhibit problem-solving and informed decision-making skills by detecting bias in texts, evaluating research, identifying the values and perspectives involved in a decision, considering and investigating multiple alternative options, and applying judgment to academic situations.
Major Areas of Course Content
- Motivation and responsibility in learning
- Organization for learning: time, space, and mind
- Questioning and multiple ways of knowing
- Comprehension of texts and lectures
- Diversity in learning and teaching styles
- Problem solving and creativity in learning
- Test preparation and test-testing strategies
- Learning resources in college and community
- Models or frameworks for critical thinking, such as Bloom’s Taxonomy
- Memory processes and strategies
- Listening skills and rates of thinking, speaking, reading and writing
- Notetaking strategies
Credit for Prior Learning Options
No credit for prior learning option is available for this course.
Course Notes
This course is also offered through Anoka-Ramsey’s Concurrent Enrollment Program.
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