Abstract:

Within the new European Higher Educational Area (EHEA) framework ,this innovation project is presented in the convergence between the Faculty of Communication and Modern Languages Department of Francisco de Vitoria university of Madrid, UFV and the research group Intermedial Studies and Intercultural Mediation-SIIM https://www.ucm.es/siim/ For two years, We have been developing the innovation project "New Narratives for Europe from the Humanities: Critical Thinking Skills in the Realm of Ethics and Social Responsibility" https://www.ucm.es/siim/new-narratives-for-europe whose objective is for UFV university students to develop critical thinking skills in the context of language classes (ESP- English for Specific purposes) as part of a student-centered approach in humanistic values, while improving their written and communicative skills in English. Through examples of what we call strategic narratives (student´s infographics) students develop one of the sub-skills of critical thinking "contrasted opinion". From the point of view of their future professions working in a European context, students visually articulate their state of mind and feelings about Europe based on facts-objective evidence coming from credible sources of information. As a follow-up, the Project here presented “Critical Thinking Competence, Problem Solving Skills and Social Responsibility through Transmedia Stories of Social Intervention” develops another sub-skills of critical thinking which is problem-solving skills. Working on the difference between closed-questions and open-questions, in a collaborative way and from a contrasted opinion standpoint, students visually articulate (short videos) a proposal of social undertaking to improve a problem in Europe. Their short (3-5min) videos are explored as examples of Transmedia narratives of social intervention. Applying Design4Change methodology http://www.dfcworld.com/SITE (based on empathy, problem- solving skills and teamwork) students identify a problem in Europe that bothers them deeply and visual narrate a social entrepreneurship proposal to solve this problem applying their specific field of knowledge and studies. These transmedia narratives seek therefore to promote common good within a current context of European crisis of identity and values, developing a sense of service to their communities, regardless their future professions. https://www.ucm.es/siim/transmedia-social-intervention Transmedia Stories of social intervention are not just designed to teach and evaluate critical thinking and problem solving skills in a more creative and innovative way (learning by projects- DesignThinking Methodology) but above all, we seek to turn students into active agents of social change; future professionals at the service of their communities (social reponsibility).

Keywords:

Critical Thinking Competence, Problem Solving Skills, Social Responsibility, Transmedia Stories.