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FINAL EXAM WILL BE ONLINE
You will be given one hour and fifteen minutes to finish the test with no time penalty.
After that time, one point will be deducted for every 5 minutes late, with the maximum time deduction being 5 points. In other words, no more points will be deducted after your test is 25 minutes late. However, no test will be accepted after three hours from the time the test starts. I hope that makes sense.
I’ve never given a test anything like this before. If it turns into a disaster, I will change how I grade the test somehow (like a curve).
Answers must be typed and turned in through turnitin.com. Submit answers to the folder "FINAL EXAM FOLDER"
Regarding test questions:
If a question asks for “your own example,” it must be one you thought up. It cannot be from the book, notes, or any other source.
I know that it is possible for more than one student to think of the same example. This should be very rare and I will judge what to do about it on a case-by-case basis.
Answers are worth one point each, unless otherwise noted.
Phil 105: Critical Thinking Syllabus
Winter 2020, Professor Phil Nist
MWF 8AM TO 9:10AM, UH 247
Turnitin.com class ID: 23396065; enrollment key: phil105
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course explores the underlying structure of arguments and the role of sound reasoning in the investigation of claims. Topics include language and clarity, inductive and deductive reasoning, propositional logic, formal and informal fallacies, and the differences between belief and knowledge. The goal is to help students identify and evaluate arguments, and to help them formulate good arguments on their own. Throughout the course, students should expect to discuss sensitive and controversial issues.
REQUIRED TEXT: The Art of Reasoning, 4th edition, by David Kelley. ISBN: 9780393930788. It is crucial that you get this text as soon as possible. Homework must be turned in on time regardless of whether you have your text. Students are required to bring the text to class in order to follow along when discussing homework. The final exam (and maybe the tests) will be open book.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Email address: pnist@csusb.edu The best way to reach me is via email. In your message, please tell me which class you are in (course and time). Please do not contact me to ask for homework assignments, notes, test reviews or to email homework or term papers. My office location: UH-401.43; office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:15AM to 10:15AM; I highly recommend exchanging contact information with someone in class who can provide you with notes and other important information.
READING ASSIGNMENTS: The required readings are listed on the schedule below. They are usually not long, but they are often dense and abstract. Expect to read them more than once or twice in order to grasp them sufficiently.
CLASS PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE: (up to 5 points extra credit): Up to five extra credit points are given for participating regularly in class discussions. Points are deducted from your overall score for disrupting the class. Disruptions can be caused by arriving late, leaving early, letting your cell phone ring or vibrate, wearing headphones, sending text messages or browsing the Internet. Again, POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR DISRUPTIONS. PLEASE DON’T COME TO CLASS IF YOU CANNOT STOP USING YOUR PHONE, TABLET OR LAPTOP FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN TAKING NOTES. I prefer people who use laptops to sit in the back. No points are deducted for missed classes.
HOMEWORK QUESTIONS (40pts—5pts each): All homework must be turned in through turnitin.com (ID# and password given above). Students are expected to turn in at least 8 out of 11 homework assignments. You can turn in more, but only the top 8 scores will count. Assignments consist of answering the questions assigned for that day. Late work is not accepted (you can skip three without penalty!).
ANALYSIS (TERM) PAPER AND REVISIONS (30+20=50pts total): This typed paper should be at least 3 pages long (probably longer for an A), double spaced, and also must be turned in to turnitin.com. Due date is on the schedule below. Late papers are accepted, but will receive an automatic 2 point reduction in points for every day (24 hours) late. An essay turned in very late might not be returned back to you in time for you to make revisions. The paper and revisions are two separate assignments, meaning you cannot make up for a bad score on the paper with your revisions. Revisions will be made based on comments I make on your papers.
SUBJECT: The article you will be writing on has yet to be determined. It will be on a contemporary issue. A link for this article will be provided. Using the terms and concepts learned in class, you will summarize and critique the author’s argument. More details about the paper will be given in class and on this website.
Plagiarism is easier to detect than you might think and it will not be tolerated. A plagiarized paper or homework assignment will receive zero points and will be reported to the administration for disciplinary action. A plagiarized assignment cannot be made up.
EXAMS: There are two tests and a final for this course. All consist of true/false, multiple choice, and essay questions. A test can be made up only if I have received proper prior notification of extraordinary circumstances that prevent your attendance, or if a test is missed because of a legitimate emergency. If you miss because of an emergency, please bring documentation in order to show proof of your emergency. The final will include a lot of material from previous tests. The final exam cannot be made up.
The final exam covers the entire quarter and will be open-note, open-book.
EXTRA CREDIT: There are no extra credit assignments for this course.
POINTS SUMMARY:
Two tests: 60 (2 x 30)
Final: 50
Homework: 40
Paper & revisions: 50
Total: 200
HOLD ON TO ALL PAPERS AND TESTS RETURNED TO YOU!
FINAL GRADE DISTRIBUTION: Grades are given according to the percentage of points earned.
A (93-100%); A- (90-92%);
B+ (87-89%); B (83-86%); B- (80-82%)
C+ (77-79%); C (73-76%); C- (70-72%)
D+ (67-69%); D (63-66%); D- (60-62%)
F (below 60%)
Please see the “General Regulations and Procedures" in the CSUSB Bulletin of Courses for the university’s policies on course withdrawal, cheating, and plagiarism. If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP and also contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183, (909) 537-5238.
MWF CLASS SCHEDULE (VERY LIKELY TO CHANGE)
M 1/6 Introduction to class, syllabus, and the template for critical analysis of arguments.
W 1/8 Start Ch.3 (we are skipping Chs.1 and 2)
F 1/10 Ch.3 HW due
M 1/13 Review Ch.3 HW, start Ch.4
W 1/15 Ch.4 (make sure to read up to p.79 BEFORE class)
F 1/17 More Ch.4
M 1/20 Martin Luther King Holiday, NO CLASS MEETING
W 1/22 Ch.4 HW due, read the rest of Ch.4
F 1/24 Review Ch.4 HW, start Ch.5
M 1/27 Ch.5 HW due
W 1/29 Review Ch.5 HW, finish Ch.5
F 1/31 Review for test
M 2/3 PART 1 TEST
W 2/5 Ch.6, pp.145 to 151
F 2/7 Ch.6 HW due, pp.158 to 173 (mistake on p.164)
M 2/10 Review Ch.6 HW, start Ch.7 (skipping 7.3, 7.5b, and 7.6)
W 2/12 Ch.7 HW due, pp.198-202.
F 2/14 Review Ch.7 HW, start Ch.8 (read up to p.237)
M 2/17 Ch.8 HW due. Start Ch.9
W 2/19 Review Ch.8 HW, Ch.9 (read up to p.286)
F 2/21 Ch.9 HW due, start Ch.10
M 2/24 Review Ch.9 HW, Ch.10 HW due, reading up to p.309 (with revised truth table format)
W 2/26 Review Ch.10 HW, review for test; PAPER DUE
F 2/28 PART 2 TEST
M 3/2 Ch.12 (up to middle of p.428; we are skipping Chapter 11)
W 3/4 Ch.12 HW due
F 3/6 Review Ch.12 HW, start Ch.13
M 3/9 Review Ch.12 HW, start Ch.13
W 3/11 Ch.13 HW due, review Ch.13
F 3/13 CLASS CANCELLED [Ch.14/last homework assignment due, if you need to turn one in]
M 3/16 LAST DAY OF CLASS; review for final; PAPER REVISIONS DUE
FINAL EXAM: WEDNESDAY, 3/18/20, 8AM TO 9:50AM
W20 105 Final Exam ONLINE.pdfGoogle Sites
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