Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum (CTAC)

Introduction

Initiated by the Provost, Mason’s Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum, or CTAC, is jointly managed by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and the Office of Institutional Assessment .   Development of critical thinking is not only a part of George Mason's Mission but also one of the six Student Competencies in Higher Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Since 2005, Critical Thinking for our undergraduates has been part of assessment requirements from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Faculty participated in these assessments by developing standards, rubrics and serving as raters. George Mason's reports are here: Critical Thinking Reports.

CTAC builds on previous faculty and staff work to support Mason’s mission to strengthen critical thinking within all our students.  The aims of this initiative are to:

• Increase awareness of the central role played by critical thinking in the education of our students.
• Support faculty development of assignments, projects and programs that develop students’ use of and fluency in critical thinking.
• Disseminate the results of faculty projects to the Mason community.
• Sponsor workshops and activities to support faculty innovation and course redesign.