Tentative TTh Schedule
Date Reading Homework Topic
T 1/23 Introduction to Course
1. Basic Logical Concepts
R 1/25 3-17 1.2, 1.4-5 The Idea of Critical Thinking Taxonomy of Arguments
T 1/30 32-48 2.2-3, 2.5 Obstacles to Critical Thinking Links for Arguments about the Existence of God
R 2/1 62-78 3.3-4 Inductive and Deductive Arguments; Enthymemes Definitions
T 2/6 80-102 3.5, 3.8-9 Common Arguments; Diagramming Arguments Writing Assignment #1
2. Evaluating Reasons: Epistemology
R 2/8 Quiz 1 115-131 4.2-3 Conflicting
Claims; Expertise and Personal Experience Study Guide Quiz 1
T 2/13 132-141 4.4 Common
Errors in Belief; Evaluating the News Media Extra
Credit Arguments
3. Categorical Logic
R 2/15 219-234 7.1-2, 7.4 Categorical Statements and Venn Diagrams Translating
into Categorical Statements
T 2/20 235-242 7.6-7 Categorical
Syllogisms; Determining Validity Writing Assignment #2
R 2/22 7.8,
Handout cont.
T 2/27 cont.
R 3/1 Exam 1 Study Guide Exam 1
4. Propositional Logic
T 3/6 187-197 6.2-4 Connectives
and Truth Values Writing Assignment #3
R 3/8 200-207 6.8 Truth Tables as a Test for Validity
T 3/13 207-210 6.9-10 The Streamlined Method Determining the Truth Value of Complex Statements
R 3/15 Quiz 2 Handout Natural Deduction Study Guide Quiz 2 Natural Deduction #1
T 3/20 Spring Break
R 3/22 Spring Break
(M 3/26 Deadline to Withdraw)
T 3/27 Handout cont. Writing Assignment #4 Natural Deduction #2
R 3/29 Handout cont. Natural Deduction #3
T 4/3 Exam 2 Study Guide Exam 2
5. Inductive Logic and Practical Reasoning
R 4/5 250-261 8.1-2, 8.4-5 Inductive Generalization
T 4/10 266-272 8.6-7 Argument
from Analogy Writing Assignment #5
R 4/12 275-289 8.8-10 Causal Arguments
T 4/17 303-311 9.2, 9.4-5 Inference to the Best Explanation
R 4/19 315-338 9.7-9 Criteria
for Good Theories Writing Assignment #6
T 4/24 Quiz 3 347-364 10.2-4 Scientific Theories Study Guide Quiz 3
R 4/26 369-387 10.8-10 Judging Unusual Theories Video
Debunking the Paranormal
T 5/1 399-413 11.3-5 Moral Reasoning
6. Fallacious Arguments
R 5/3 155-168 5.2 Fallacies
with Irrelevant Premises Fallacy Links
T 5/8 169-174 5.3-4 Fallacies
with Unacceptable Premises Writing Assignment #7
Final Exam T 5/15 10:15 am – 12:15 pm Study Guide Final Exam