Tentative MW Schedule
Date Reading Homework Topic
M 1/22 Introduction to Course
1. Basic Logical Concepts
W 1/24 3-17 1.2, 1.4-5 The Idea of Critical Thinking Taxonomy of Arguments
M 1/29 32-48 2.2-3, 2.5 Obstacles to Critical Thinking Links for Arguments about the Existence of God
W 1/31 62-78 3.3-4 Inductive and Deductive Arguments; Enthymemes Definitions
M 2/5 80-102 3.5, 3.8-9 Common Arguments; Diagramming Arguments Writing Assignment #1
2. Evaluating Reasons: Epistemology
W 2/7 Quiz 1 115-131 4.2-3 Conflicting Claims; Expertise and Personal Experience Study Guide Quiz 1
M 2/12 132-141 4.4 Common Errors in Belief; Evaluating the News Media Extra Credit Arguments
3. Categorical Logic
W 2/14 219-234 7.1-2, 7.4 Categorical Statements and Venn Diagrams Translating into Categorical Statements
M 2/19
W 2/21 235-242 7.6-7 Categorical Syllogisms; Determining Validity Writing Assignment #2
M 2/26 7.8,
Handout cont.
W 2/28 cont. Study Guide Exam 1
M 3/5 Exam 1 Writing Assignment #3
4. Propositional Logic
W 3/7 187-197 6.2-4 Connectives and Truth Values
M 3/12 200-207 6.8, Handout Truth Tables as a Test for Validity Determining the Truth Value of Complex Statements
W 3/14 Quiz 2 207-210 6.9-10 The Streamlined Method Study Guide Quiz 2 Writing Assignment #4
M 3/19 Spring Break
W 3/21 Spring Break
M 3/26 Handout Natural Deduction (Deadline to Withdraw) Natural Deduction #1
W 3/28 Handout cont. Natural Deduction #2
M 4/2 Handout cont. Natural Deduction #3
W 4/4 Exam 2 Study Guide Exam 2
5. Inductive Logic and Practical Reasoning
M 4/9 250-261 8.1-2, 8.4-5 Inductive Generalization Writing Assignment #5
W 4/11 266-272 8.6-7 Argument from Analogy
M 4/16 275-289 8.8-10 Causal Arguments
W 4/18 303-311 9.2, 9.4-5 Inference to the Best Explanation
M 4/23 315-338 9.7-9 Criteria for Good Theories Writing Assignment #6
W 4/25 Quiz 3 347-364 10.2-4 Scientific Theories Study Guide Quiz 3
M 4/30 369-387 10.8-10 Judging Unusual Theories Video
Debunking the Paranormal
W 5/2 399-413 11.3-5 Moral Reasoning
6. Fallacious Arguments
M 5/7 155-168 5.2 Fallacies with Irrelevant Premises Fallacy Links
W 5/9 169-174 5.3-4 Fallacies with Unacceptable Premises Writing Assignment #7
Final Exams
Sec. 3 (2 pm class) W 5/16 12:45 – 2:45 pm Study Guide Final Exam
Sec. 4 (4:45 pm class) W 5/16 5:15 – 7:15 pm