Philosophy 103, TTH 11:00 - 12:20 pm., room 158
Instructor: S.E.A. Hughes
Welcome to Logic! Logic is a tool that we use to hammer out the dents in faulty reasoning. In this course you will learn techniques for hammering out these dents so that your use of reason becomes smooth and shiny. These techniques include:
· distinguishing between good and bad arguments
· evaluating and constructing valid arguments
· identifying informal fallacies
· using inductive and deductive arguments
· using categorical, propositional and predicate logic
· distinguishing between science and pseudoscience
REQUIRED TEXT:
A Concise Introduction to Logic (10th edition) by Patrick Hurley
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Three one hour tests and a comprehensive final (100 points each).
2. A short argumentative essay (4-6 pages, 100 points) on an issue within one of the following topics of conversation (topics will be announced in class): Abortion, Animal Rights, Autos and Highways, Capital Punishment, Energy, Environment, Firearms, Food and Nutrition, Gay and Lesbian Issues, Genetics, Health & Medicine, Human Rights, Immigration, Law & Law Enforcement, Pornography, and Substance Abuse.
3. Five quizzes (20 points each, take-home or in-class).
F Grading Policy:
A = 600-540, B = 539-480, C = 479-420, D = 419-360
ATTENDANCE:
Required. As a rule, students who are absent earn the lowest grades. There are no make-ups for unexcused absences. To excuse an absence, please email me in advance. Do not disturb your classmates or my lecture by arriving late.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism shall be punished according to the guidelines set forth by Mt. San Jacinto College, which is, an F for the course or assignment.
Academic support is available for all students through the services provided by the Learning Resource Center.
COURSE SCHEDULE (tentative):
Week 1 – Basic Concepts in Logic
Week 2 - Understanding Arguments, Evaluating Arguments – Quiz 1*
Week 3 - Argument Diagrams
Week 4 - Argument Diagrams Cont. - TEST 1, Feb. 16th
Week 5 - Meaning, Definition, and Clear Writing
Week 6 - Informal Fallacies
Week 7 - Informal Fallacies - Quiz 2
Week 8 - Categorical Propositions - TEST 2, March 15th
Week 9 - Categorical Syllogisms
Week 10 - Categorical Syllogisms II - Quiz 3
Spring Break, April 1st - 8th
Week 11 - Propositional Logic
Week 12 - Natural Deductions in Propositional Logic - Quiz 4
Week 13 - Natural Deductions II
Week 14 - Predicate Logic - TEST 3, May 3rd
Week 15 - Predicate Logic II
Week 16 - Causality and Probability - Quiz 5, ESSAY DUE, May 17th
Week 17 – Review, make-ups (May 22nd), FINAL EXAM, May 24th, 10:00am - 12:00pm
* Quizzes will be on Thursdays, either at the beginning or end of class, unless otherwise notified.
Mt. San Jacinto College abides by the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits federal and state agencies or programs from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. Students in this course who have a documented disability, that limits a major life activity which may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations should meet with a counselor in the Disabled Student Services and Program (DSP&S) as soon as possible.