Tentative MW Schedule
Date Reading Homework Topic
W 9/6 Introduction to Course
1. Basic Logical Concepts
M 9/11 3-17 1.2, 1.4-5 The Idea of Critical Thinking
W 9/13 32-48 2.2-3, 2.5 Obstacles to Critical Thinking (Last day for Add/Drop) Writing Assignment #1
M 9/18 62-78 3.2-4 Inductive and Deductive Arguments; Validity and Strength
W 9/20 80-102 3.5, 3.8-9 Common Arguments; Diagramming Arguments
2. Evaluating Reasons: Epistemology
M 9/25 Quiz 1 115-131 4.2-3 Conflicting Claims; Expertise and Personal Experience Quiz 1 Study Guide
W 9/27 132-141 4.4 Common Errors in Belief; Evaluating the News Media
3. Categorical Logic
M 10/2 219-234 7.1-2, 7.4-5 Categorical Statements and Venn Diagrams Writing Assignment #2
W 10/4 235-242 7.6-7 Categorical
Syllogisms; Determining Validity Taxonomy of Arguments
M 10/9 7.8 cont. Writing Assignment #3
W 10/11 Exam 1 Exam 1 Study
Guide
4. Propositional Logic
M 10/16 187-197 6.2-4 Connectives
and Truth Values Writing Assignment #4
W 10/18 200-207 6.8 Truth Tables as a Test for Validity Writing Assignment #5
M 10/23 207-210 6.9-10 The Streamlined Method Complex Statement Homework
W 10/25 Handout Handout Natural Deduction Natural Deduction Homework #1
M 10/30 Quiz 2 Handout cont. Quiz 2 Study Guide
W 11/1 Handout cont. Natural Deduction Homework #3
(F 11/3 Deadline to Withdraw)
M 11/6 Exam 2 Exam 2 Study Guide
5. Inductive Logic and Practical Reasoning
W 11/8 250-261 8.1-2, 8.4-5 Inductive Generalization
M 11/13 266-272 8.6-7 Argument from Analogy
W 11/15 275-289 8.8-10 Causal Arguments
M 11/20 303-311 9.2, 9.4-5 Inference to the Best Explanation Writing Assignment #7
W 11/22 Thanksgiving
M 11/27 315-338 9.7-9 Criteria for Good Theories Writing Assignment #8
W 11/29 Quiz 3 347-364 10.2-4 Scientific Theories Theories Quiz 3 Study Guide
M 12/4 369-387 10.8-10 Judging Unusual Theories Writing Assignment #9
W 12/6 399-413 11.3-5 Moral Reasoning
6. Fallacious Arguments
M 12/11 155-168 5.2 Fallacies
with Irrelevant Premises Writing Assignment #10
W 12/13 169-174 5.3-4 Fallacies
with Unacceptable Premises Fallacy Links
Final Exams Final Exam Study
Guide
Sec. 4 (2 pm class) W 12/20 12:45 – 2:45 pm
Sec. 6 (4:50 pm class) W 12/20 5:15 – 7:15 pm