LOGIC

Philosophy 103, section 1208, Spring 2010, TTH 11:00 - 12:20 pm

Instructor: S.E.A. Hughes

Course website: seah1066.googlepages.com

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 (9th 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. 18th

Week 5 - Meaning, Definition, and Clear Writing

Week 6 - Informal Fallacies

Week 7 - Informal Fallacies – Quiz 2

Week 8 - Categorical Propositions – TEST 2, March 18th

Week 9 - Categorical Syllogisms

Spring Break: March 29th - April 3rd

Week 10 - Categorical Syllogisms II - Quiz 3

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 6th

Week 15 - Predicate Logic II – ESSAY DUE, May 13th

Week 16 - Causality and Probability - Quiz 5

Week 17 - Review, FINAL EXAM, June 1st, 10:00 – 11:50 am

* 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.