Logic
Philosophy 215 sec. 6
Spring 2006
MW 4:50 – 6:05 pm
Rex Gilliland
Classroom: Engleman B307
Office: Engleman D210
Phone: 392-6783
Office Hours: MW 3:15 – 4:45 pm, TTh 12:15 – 1:15 pm, and by appointment.
Email: gillilandr1@southernct.edu
Course Description: In this course, we will study the concepts of formal and informal reasoning, including categorical logic, propositional logic, natural deduction, inductive logic, and informal fallacies. The objective of the course is to develop the students’ reasoning skills and their understanding of the traditional methods of logical argumentation.
Text: Lewis Vaughn, The Power of Critical Thinking (
Student Study Guide Website: http://www.us.oup.com/us/companion.websites/0195161424/studentresources/?view=usa
Grading: Attendance and
Class Participation 15%
Daily
Homework 20%
Quizzes (3) 15%
Exams (3) 30%
Writing
Assignments 20 %
A+ 97-100; A 93-96; A- 90-92; B+ 87-89; B 83-86;
B- 80-82; C+ 77-79; C 73-76; C- 70-72; D+ 67-69; D 63-66; D- 60-62; F 0-59
1. Exams and Quizzes: Much of your grade will be based on 3 exams and 3 quizzes, which will include the sorts of problems found in the homework exercises as well as definitions. Each student can only make up one exam or quiz: You must have a valid excuse (e.g., illness or family emergency) and make it up before the next session of class. Contact me as early as possible to make arrangements, prior to the scheduled exam or quiz. (Email or phone messages are acceptable for last minute occurrences.)
2. Homework and Class Participation: There will be a homework assignment due at the beginning of most class sessions that includes a reading assignment and exercises. As in a math class, careful reading and completion of the homework assignment before class is very important because continual practice is essential for mastering logic. Late homework will receive half-credit and will only be accepted up to one week after it was due. You are required to bring your book with you to class. Each student’s active participation in class is encouraged and expected.
3. Writing
Assignments: I will assign a short writing assignment every week to
give you practice analyzing, evaluating, and formulating arguments. These
assignments will be downgraded for poor spelling, grammar, organization, etc.
If you have difficulties in these areas, I recommend taking your papers to the
4. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is
in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably
affect your other grades in the course. Also, attendance is weighed heavily
when determining final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will
reduce your grade: If you have more than 2 absences, your final grade will be
reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 5 absences to pass the
course. Tardies and leaving early will be counted as half-absences. Valid
excuses will be accepted, but they only excuse one half of any given absence,
tardy, etc. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements in
advance to copy the notes of another student.
I strongly encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with me after class or during my office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.
Tentative Schedule
Click on the quiz or exam to link to the appropriate
study guide.
Date Reading Homework Topic
M 1/23 Introduction to Course
1. Basic Logical Concepts
W 1/25 3-17 1.2, 1.4-5 The Idea of Critical Thinking
M 1/30 32-48 2.2-3, 2.5 Obstacles to Critical Thinking Writing Assignment #1
W 2/1 62-78 3.2-4 Inductive and Deductive Arguments; Validity and Strength
M 2/6 80-102 3.5, 3.8-9 Common Arguments; Diagramming Arguments Writing
Assignment #2
2. Evaluating Reasons: Epistemology and Fallacious Arguments
W 2/8 Quiz 1 115-131 4.2-3 Conflicting Claims; Expertise and Personal Experience
M 2/13 132-141 4.4 Common
Errors in Belief; Evaluating the News Media Writing Assignment #3
W 2/15 155-168 5.2 Fallacies
with Irrelevant Premises Taxonomy of Arguments
M 2/20
W 2/22 169-174 5.3-4 Fallacies with Unacceptable Premises
M 2/27 Exam 1 Writing
Assignment #6
3. Propositional Logic
W 3/1 187-197 6.2-4 Connectives and Truth Values
M 3/6 200-207 6.8 Truth
Tables as a Test for Validity Writing Assignment #7
W 3/8 207-210 6.9-10 The Streamlined Method
M 3/13 Handout Handout Natural Deduction Homework Assignment
W 3/15 Quiz 2 Handout cont. Homework
Assignment Writing Assignment #8
M 3/20 Spring Break
W 3/22 Spring Break
M 3/27 (Last Day to Withdraw) Handout cont. Homework Assignment
4. Categorical Logic
W 3/29 219-234 7.1-2, 7.4-5 Categorical Statements and Venn Diagrams
M 4/3 235-242 7.6-7 Categorical
Syllogisms; Determining Validity Writing Assignment #10
W 4/5 7.8 cont.
M 4/10 Exam 2 Writing Assignment #11
5. Inductive Logic and Practical Reasoning
W 4/12 250-261 8.1-2, 8.4-5 Inductive Generalization
M 4/17 266-272 8.6-7 Argument
from Analogy Writing Assignment #12
W 4/19 275-289 8.8-10 Causal Arguments
M 4/24 Quiz 3 303-315 9.2, 9.4-5 Explanation and Consistency; Epistemology and Methodology
W 4/26 316-338 9.7-9 Criteria
for Good Theories Writing Assignment #13
M 5/1 347-364 10.2-4 Scientific Theories
W 5/3 369-387 10.8-10 Judging Unusual Theories
M 5/8 399-413 11.3-5 Moral Reasoning
W 5/10 Review
Logic
Final W 5/17 5:15 – 7:15 pm