Logic Syllabus

 

 

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. Students will learn how to identify different types of arguments and their component parts, correctly evaluate arguments, and formulate good arguments.

 

 

Textbook:   Lewis Vaughn, The Power of Critical Thinking (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), ISBN 0195161424, $61.95

 

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                               

     Class Participation               15%                            

                        Daily Homework                      25%                            

                        Writing Assignments                 15 %               

Quizzes (3)                               15%                

                        Exams (3)                                 30%                

 

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: Almost half 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. Cheating on tests will not be tolerated. Each student can only make up one exam or quiz (but not the final exam): You must have a valid excuse (e.g., illness or family emergency; provide documentation if available) 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. 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 only be accepted for students who were absent with a valid excuse, and must be turned in on the first day the student returns to class. Students who are tardy will only receive half credit for their homework. 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 most weeks to give you practice analyzing, evaluating, and formulating arguments. These assignments will be downgraded for poor spelling, grammar, organization, etc., and will have to be rewritten if they have errors of this type. If you have difficulties in these areas, I strongly recommend taking your papers to the Campus Writing Center before turning them in. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The writing assignments will be emailed to me as an attached Word document by Sunday at 5 pm, and students will bring a hard copy with them to the following class. (The header of all emails to me should start with “Logic sec. 02”.) Late writing assignments will not be accepted.

 

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: For every 3 absences, your final grade will be reduced one full letter grade. Tardies and leaving early will be counted as half-absences. Valid excuses will be accepted (provide documentation if available), but students with 9 absences or more for any reason will not pass the class. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements in advance to copy the notes of another student.

 

All cell phones, music players, ear pieces/headphones, and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away during class time. I will consider requests to record the class or take notes on a computer (as long as the devices are only used for these purposes).

 

I strongly encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities such as chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with me after class or during my office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.