Tentative TTh Schedule
Date Reading Homework Topic
R 9/7 Introduction to Course
1. Basic Logical Concepts
T 9/12 3-17 1.2, 1.4-5 The Idea of Critical Thinking
R 9/14 32-48 2.2-3, 2.5 Obstacles to Critical Thinking (Last day for Add/Drop) Writing Assignment #1
T 9/19 62-78 3.2-4 Inductive and Deductive Arguments; Validity and Strength
R 9/21 80-102 3.5, 3.8-9 Common Arguments; Diagramming Arguments
2. Evaluating Reasons: Epistemology
T 9/26 Quiz 1 115-131 4.2-3 Conflicting
Claims; Expertise and Personal Experience Quiz 1 Study Guide
R 9/28 132-141 4.4 Common Errors in Belief; Evaluating the News Media
3. Categorical Logic
T 10/3 219-234 7.1-2, 7.4-5 Categorical Statements and Venn Diagrams Writing Assignment #2
R 10/5 235-242 7.6-7 Categorical
Syllogisms; Determining Validity Taxonomy of Arguments
T 10/10 7.8 cont. Writing Assignment #3
R 10/12 Exam 1 Exam 1 Study
Guide
4. Propositional Logic
T 10/17 187-197 6.2-4 Connectives and Truth Values Writing Assignment #4
R 10/19 200-207 6.8 Truth
Tables as a Test for Validity Writing Assignment #5
T 10/24 207-210 6.9-10 The Streamlined Method Complex
Statement Homework
R 10/26 Handout Handout Natural Deduction Natural Deduction Homework #1
T 10/31 Quiz 2 Handout cont. Quiz 2 Study Guide
R 11/2 Handout cont. Natural Deduction Homework #3
(F 11/3 Deadline to Withdraw)
T 11/7 Exam 2 Exam 2 Study Guide
5. Inductive Logic and Practical Reasoning
R 11/9 250-261 8.1-2, 8.4-5 Inductive Generalization
T 11/14 266-272 8.6-7 Argument from Analogy
R 11/16 275-289 8.8-10 Causal Arguments
T 11/21 303-311 9.2, 9.4-5 Inference to the Best Explanation Writing Assignment #7
R 11/23 Thanksgiving
T 11/28 315-338 9.7-9 Criteria
for Good Theories Writing Assignment #8
R 11/30 Quiz 3 347-364 10.2-4 Scientific Theories Quiz 3 Study Guide
T 12/5 369-387 10.8-10 Judging Unusual Theories Writing Assignment #9
R 12/7 399-413 11.3-5 Moral Reasoning
6. Fallacious Arguments
T 12/12 155-168 5.2 Fallacies with Irrelevant Premises Writing Assignment #10
R 12/14 169-174 5.3-4 Fallacies with Unacceptable Premises Fallacy Links
Final Exam T 12/19 10:15 am – 12:15 pm Final Exam Study
Guide