Spring 2004        Philosophy 215 (sec. 3)                        

TTh 3:15 – 4:30 pm

 

Logic

 

 

 

Course Description: In this course, we will study the concepts of formal and informal reasoning, including propositional logic, natural deduction, categorical and predicate logic, 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:   Robert M. Johnson, Fundamentals of Reasoning: A Logic Book, 4rd ed. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2002)

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                                                

     Class Participation               10%                            

                        Group Projects                         10%                            

                        Exams (4)                                 80%                

                                                                                               

                        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          0-60

 

 

1.  Exams and Quizzes: The majority of you grade will be based on 5 exams and 5 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 and one 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.

 

2. Homework: 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 the 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.

 

3. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades. 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 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.