Critical Thinking is using reason to examine all the information before making an informed decision or opinion. We will examine media and information sources and look at how different people and websites present the same information in different ways. How do you know if you’re getting the whole story? We’ll also practice listening to and understanding people who we don’t agree with. We’ll look for common ground and ways to communicate and collaborate.

By the end of this course, you will be able to……

• Define critical thinking
• Ask questions to discover hidden assumptions and biases
• Look at an idea from multiple perspectives
• Practice finding multiple solutions to a problem
• Practice considering possibilities without (always) accepting them
• Express an idea in a clear and concise way
• Combine ideas to create new ideas (using flexible thinking)

1. Describe historical models of disability
2. Express how disability rights legislation impacts their lives
3. Apply flexible thinking and problem-solving strategies to achieve a compromise
4. Outline how different communication styles are needed for different situations
5. Explain how emotion impacts communication
6. Define context as it applies to social and situational awareness
7. Explain allyship and solidarity

Explore disability history and progress, identify barriers to support, and brainstorm solutions. Are you interested in government systems, structures, and power dynamics? Where do we fit in? Build confidence and communication skills while researching allyship, solidarity, and intersectionality!

Being in social situations is easy for some people, but for many, it’s complicated. It can be hard to know what to do or what to say— sometimes it seems like everyone was given a script for life, except for us! In this course, we will explore what is commonly expected in most social situations. We’ll learn about self-awareness, self-esteem, and how to embrace your unique identity. We will discuss communication, boundaries, and other strategies for social success— while still staying true to yourself.

By the end of this course, you will be able to……

• Define and recognize commonly accepted “social skills”
• Explore different parts of your identity and how it impacts/is impacted by social settings
• Identify commonly accepted social cues, including facial expression, body language, voice tone & volume, and personal space
• Recall social norms and hidden social “rules”
• Understand how your communication choices, both verbal and nonverbal, may be perceived by others
• Practice identifying and communicating needs to others
• Define boundaries, both physical and emotional, and practice setting and respecting boundaries
• Explore how to maintain your boundaries so you can be your authentic self, even when it goes against what is commonly accepted as a “social skill”

Emotional Intelligence

Did you know that emotional intelligence, or understanding and responding to other people’s feelings, is important not only in our relationships but in our success when working, too? This class teaches you how to develop your emotional intelligence through focus on four core skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Through these skills, we will learn how to identify emotions in ourselves and others, practice empathy, discover how these skills can help us to communicate more effectively, and much, much more!

By the end of this course, you will be able to…

• Define emotional intelligence
• Identify the differences between EQ, IQ, and personality
• Recognize and name your emotions
• Identify how your actions impact others
• Practice stress and emotional management techniques
• Define empathy
• Identify emotions in other people
• Practice assertive communication