Tentative Schedule
Key to Writing Errors and Abbreviations
Date Reading Homework Topic
W 9/5 Introduction to course
1. Basic Logical Concepts
M 9/10 4-19,
Handout 1.2, 1.4-5 The Idea of Critical
Thinking Taxonomy of Arguments
W 9/12 36-53 2.2-3, 2.5 Obstacles to Critical
Thinking Constructing Arguments #1
M 9/17 68-85 3.3-4 (all), WA 1 Inductive
and Deductive Arguments; Enthymemes Definitions
W 9/19 87-108 3.5, 3.8-9 Common Arguments;
Diagramming Arguments
2. Evaluating Reasons: Epistemology and the Truth of Premises
M 9/24 Quiz 1 124-143 4.2-3 Conflicting Claims; Expertise, Personal Experience
W 9/26 143-158 4.4, Handout Common Errors in Belief; The News Media
3. Ancient Logic
Categorical Logic: Reasoning about the Relationship of Groups
M 10/1 246-261 7.1-2, 7.4, WA 2 Categorical
Statements and Venn Diagrams
W 10/3 261-270 7.6-7 Categorical Syllogisms; Determining Validity
M 10/8 7.8,
Handout cont. Translation Rules and
Practice Exercises
W 10/10 443-458 11.3-5 Moral Reasoning
M 10/15 Exam 1
Inductive Generalization: Looking for Patterns
W 10/17 279-291 8.1-2, 8.4-5, Portfolio Inductive Generalization Categorical
Syllogism Portfolio
4. Medieval Logic
Argument from Analogy: Reasoning from Similarities
W 10/24 296-302 8.6-7, Portfolio Argument from Analogy Inductive Generalization Portfolio
Informal Fallacies: Bad Arguments that Appear to be Good Arguments
W 10/31 Quiz 2 174-187 5.2 Fallacies with
Irrelevant Premises Fallacy Links
(F 11/2 Withdrawal Deadline)
M 11/5 187-194 5.3-4, Portfolio Fallacies with Unacceptable
Premises Analogical
Argument Portfolio
W 11/7 Handout, Portfolio cont. Informal Fallacy Portfolio
M 11/12 Exam 2
4. Modern Logic
Causal Reasoning and Inference to the Best Explanation: Explaining Unusual Occurrences
W 11/14 305-321 8.8-10 Causal Arguments
M 11/19 336-343 9.2, 9.4-5, Portfolio Inference to the Best Explanation Causal Argument
Portfolio
W 11/21 Thanksgiving
M 11/26 347-373 9.7-8, 9.9 (except ‘E’) Criteria for Good Theories
W 11/28 383-404 10.2-4, Portfolio Scientific
Theories Inference to the Best Explanation Portfolio
M 12/3 Quiz 3 409-430 10.8-10 Judging Unusual Theories Video Debunking the Paranormal
Propositional Logic: Reasoning about the Relationship of Statements
W 12/5 212-222 6.2-4 Connectives and Truth Values
M 12/10 226-233 6.8 (1-6, 9), Handout Truth Tables as a Test for Validity Complex
Statements #1
W 12/12 Handouts, Portfolio cont. Complex Statements#2 Truth Tables
Completed Portfolio Propositional
Argument Portfolio
Final
Exam Sec. 1 (2 pm class) W 12/19 12:45 – 2:45 pm
Sec. 3 (3:25 pm class) M 12/17 3 – 5 pm