This conference focused on the field of critical thinking emphasizing social and cultural inquiry, through the perspectives of scholars and practitioners in a variety of academic disciplines. Following an overview describing the mission of the institute, and an introduction entitled "Critical Thinking and the Improvement of Undergraduate Education," plenary papers are presented: "Literacy, Education, and the Struggle for Public Life: Towards a Pedagogy of Critical Thinking"; "Critical Thinking and Cultural Literacy: Where E. D. Hirsch Goes Wrong"; and "Critical Thinking across the Disciplines: The Search for an Archimedian Point." The volume is then organized into 9 sections reflecting the thoughts of more than 60 authors representing over 20 academic fields. It includes papers addressing a range of issues in critical thinking and undergraduate education, reflecting the many theoretical perspectives that relate critical thinking to social and cultural inquiry. The nine sections address the following topics: (1) social and cultural context of critical thinking; (2) social inquiry as critical practice; (3) critical thinking, social issues and communication; (4) critical thinking in instructional contexts: within and across the disciplines; (5) critical thinking and the teaching of social sciences; (6) critical thinking and narrative discourse; (7) critical thinking and gender; (8) leadership, authority and power; and (9) critical thinking theory. (LL)