Critical thinking exercise: causes of premature death in America

Critical thinking has been connected with employers' desires for college graduates who are curious, analytical, reflective thinkers and problem solvers. Yet, students seem to enter higher education with an underdeveloped ability to think critically. It is little wonder that employers often find new hires lacking in critical thinking skills, since the undergraduate curriculum in general and the business curriculum in particular often do not emphasize the teaching of these skills. This exercise was developed for use in a first-year business course designed to develop students' ability to think critically, and focuses on the following critical thinking skills: the ability to evaluate data as evidence, evaluate arguments, recognize errors in thinking and decision making, and express ideas persuasively.