Logic: Reasoning Examined
Course: Philosophy 152 A and B, Fall 2001
Professor: Dr. Roger Ward, 308 Pawling, 863-8080
Office Hours: T/Th 2-3, M/W 2-3 pm, or by appointment.
Course Description: Introduction to
principles of sound reasoning with emphasis on formal and informal techniques
for evaluating arguments.
Course Objectives: You will
demonstrate facility in logic by describing arguments and finding arguments in
everyday situations, and be able to use inductive and deductive methods for
describing and evaluating arguments.
Textbook:
The Art of Reasoning [AOR], David Kelley. Sphere,
Michael Crichton.
Class: Section A 9:00 MWF, B 10:00 MWF
301 Pawling Hall
Requirements:
1) Completion of all Quizzes
and Examinations
2)
Completion of projects and assignments.
3) Attendance and participation in class instruction
Evaluation: Your grade depends on your
performance on the quizzes and examination, your attendance and participation,
and the projects and assignments.
QUIZZES: 14 quizzes will cover notes and/or material from the textbook
according to the schedule. QUIZ DAY IS WEDNESDAY. The average of these
quizzes will count 60% of the final grade. (Two lowest scores dropped for
average.)
FINAL: The final covers the material on the quizzes. 20% of the final
grade.
Section A: Dec. 16, 9-11 am. Section B: Dec. 20, 3-5 pm.
PROJECT: This is a two part assignment. First the student will identify
and describe several arguments related to a topic, and then the student will
critically evaluate one of these arguments. 15% of final grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE: counts 5% of final grade. Active
involvement in the learning process in class and before class will help this
part of your grade. More than 3 absences will hurt this part of your
grade. For each additional absence I will deduct 1% from the final grade
average. More than 11 absences for any reason (25% of the class) will
result in no grade for the class.
Schedule: This course is divided into
eight sections. The corresponding pages or chapters of the textbook are
listed with each section.
1) Reasoning: Finding Arguments
2) Introduction to Logic,
3) Inductive Logic, AOR Ch. 15,17,16,18
4) Deductive Logic,
5)Categorical Propositions , AOR Ch. 8-10,
6) Propositional Logic, AOR Ch. 12
7) Predicate Logic, AOR Ch. 13
8) Reasoning with Logic
Final Exam
Project Description: The first part of the project involves finding at least
three substantial arguments related to a topic of your choice with my approval.
You will present a brief description of these arguments. (Part A -- Due
Oct. 24 ) Next, you will present a thorough analysis of one of these arguments.
This analytical critique will evaluate the strength of the argument and
evidence, possible counter arguments, and a reformulation of the argument.
Part B -- Due Nov. 30 ).
Missed and late work: Missed quizzes will count as 0 points in your average.
Assignments and the project are due at class time. Late work looses a
letter grade. No grade will be given for work more than one week late. I
will gladly look over drafts of projects and assignments during office hours.
Instructional Goals: my goals are to
1. Effectively
present course material.
2. Describe the
relation of logic to other branches of philosophy.
3. Clearly describe the student’s need
for good reasoning skills.
4. Provide training exercises and evaluation measures so the
student can perceive the development in
their ability to reason.
5. Accurately assess the student’s
ability and quality of work.
Further Sources:
You may find more sources on Logic in my office. These sources include
other textbooks and some workbooks. Additional material is available in
the Library, or may be found using the Philosopher’s Index.