Philosophy 103 - Introduction to Logic: Critical Thinking

Syllabus - Spring 1999

Required Text: A Concise Introduction to Logic, 6th edition. Patrick Hurley.

Course Description: What is the difference between a sound and an unsound argument? How can one tell the difference between good reasoning and bad? What sorts of evidence should one accept for certain claims? As we pursue these questions, we will discouss and practice the fundamentals of both informal and formal logic.

Course Objective: The aim of this course is to help you become a more precise and critical thinker. Thinking logically is a skill which anyone can develop, and it is one which you can use in every facet of your life.

Course Requirements: (1) 3 tests, each worth 20%, (2) a comprehensive final exam worth 30%, and (3) a homework grade, worth a total of 10% of the final grade.

Policies:

No late assignments are ever accepted unless prior approval has been given by me. If you must miss an exam or an assignment because of an emergency please tell me before hand. If this is not possible then you will be expected to provide extensive documentation prior to being allowed to make up the work. What constitutes an "emergency" will be decided by me.

Studying together is encouraged, but working together on graded take-home assignments is a no-no. You should only hand in assignments which are the result of your own work. Doing otherwise will not only make me angry and force me to lower your grade, it will lead you to perform poorly on the exams.

Suggestions:

Practice, practice, practice. The only way you will do well in this course is if you work through the exercises in the book. Many of the exercises are answered in the back of the text; I will gladly correct any problems that are not.

Come to class. Many of the points that wee will cover cannot be readily grasped just from reading about them. Further, I will be covering additional material in each class.

Participate in class. Remember, no question is a stupid question. The more you are active in class, the faster you will learn.

Come see me (or Sam) at office hours, or make an appointment. Feel free to drop-in in order to clarify a point brought up in class ot to discuss some issue not raised in class.

Finally, I take honesty seriously and so should you. Be aware of the University's policy on academic dishonesty.

Tenative Course Schedule: topics are subject to change; exam dates are not.

Week 2: 1/11-1/15 : 1.1 - 1.4

Week 3: 1/18-1/22 : 1.5, 1.6, 3.1

Week 4: 1/25-1/29 : 3.1-3.3

Week 5: 2/1-2/5 : 3.4, Review

First Test: 2/4

Week 6: 2/8-2/12: 3.5, 4.1

Week 7: 2/16-2/19: 4.2-4.4

Week 8: 2/22-2/26: 4.6-4.7

Week 9: 3/1-3/5, Review

Second Test: 3/4

Week 10: 3/8-3/12 : Spring Break

Week 11: 3/15-3/19 : chapter 5

Week 12: 3/22-3/26 : chapter 5

Week 13: 3/29-4/2 : chapter 6

Week 14: 4/5-4/9 : chapter 6

Third Test: 4/8

Week 15: 4/12-4/16 : chapter 6

Week 16: 4/19-4/23 : chapter 7

Week 17: 4/26-4/30 : chapter 7

Final Exam: Friday, May 7th, 12:00 p.m.