Appendix a

Comprehension Check

• Access the Week Two Electronic Reserve Readings located under the materials section of your student website.

• Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

• Write a paragraph of approximately 100 words for each of the following questions.

1. Using the critical thinking skills you have gained and the materials provided for this assignment, identify two possible strategies that Thomas Hutchinson or Samuel Adams, or both, likely used to develop and improve his thinking prior to taking a stand and acting according to his beliefs.

The only way to overcome these narrow-minded views is to have empathy for one’s opponents or the opposition. Placing oneself in someone else’s shoes helps critical thinking and dispels ignorance. When evaluating the provided materials in this assignment, I utilized several strategies of critical reading, listening, and viewing. I examined the context of the judgments of the individuals involved including Adams and Hutchinson, but also including others who had a stake in the issues. I also found ways to recognize problems, so as to keep my mind open to workable solutions. Avoiding the Boston Tea Party has been a subject of endless speculation.

2. Explain the importance of building a foundation for critical and creative thinking when evaluating historical events such as the Boston Tea Party.

Building a foundation is important, and crucial to the process of critical thinking. Critical thinking is considered very important in academic situations because it enables the ability to analyze, evaluate, explain, and restructure your thinking. It is also beneficial for decreasing the risk of thinking with a false belief. Critical thinking includes identification of bias, self-deception, distortion, misinformation, etc.

3. Explain the basis of the moral judgments made by Samuel Adams and Thomas Hutchinson.

4. What steps do you think Samuel Adams and Thomas Hutchinson took toward becoming individuals and...