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DeluxedEdition A few factors pointed out how the college I went to was heavily based on critical thinking:
1) It was listed as a competency in your diploma (skill list) that adheres to a certain educational framework
2) Our exams would all be based on open, critical-thinking questions that could not be answered through multiple choice, but only through deep critical thought of the entire subject matter and we were required to relate it to other subject matters as well and other fields in order to get a passing grade. Our professor emphasized to us that mere conceptualization was not enough - you had to be able to absorb the material and form informed insights on it based on analytical ecosystems you built from conceptualizing it. The professor then would ask your critical input (both written and vocal) of several questions and if he saw that you couldn't fully connect the dots or master what you were talking about through deep thought, you would not get a passing grade. He would ask deeply through every statement you made. That was for me the hardest time I ever had in college.
3) Various theses were required of us throughout the year, about which we would be questioned on in front of a live audience of industry experts, who would try to check if you really knew what you were talking about. Then you also had to defend to them and to your professors why you thought you answer was a certain way. When you were able to convince people of your line of thinking, then you would have a sufficient grade. You also had to be able to defend your thinking from people who criticized it.
4) Throughout all the courses, from Sociology to Mathematics, it would be a factor. We had to do very deep political and philosophical debates with professors and colleagues alike. I've spent some very hard thinking there. We had to be able to understand, draw facts and critically analyze various ideologies, see where they manifested themselves through history and then convey in our paper the reasons behind our choices and how we saw these.
In summary, there were plenty of ways they tested our critical thought.
