Philosophy 100: Logic and Critical Thinking Spring 2014 CRN 47301 MW 9:35-11 Location: MV-02 Instructor Information Dr. Ian M. Duckles Course Description: This course explores the relationship of communications and critical thinking with a focus on good reasoning and the impediments to its mastery. This course emphasizes the development of skills in logical processes including familiarity with the more common fallacies. This course is designed for students learning to apply principles of critical thinking to the practical problems of everyday life. Textbooks: There are two texts required for this class:
Schedule: (topics and important dates included): Homework will be due daily and assignments will be announced in class. Do not be concerned if we fall ahead or behind on this schedule. The most important goal is that everyone understand the concepts and problems. This schedule is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website. The schedule uses the following abbreviations:
Week 1: Introduction Wednesday, January 29: Language (ISD 19-37) Homework: Find examples of each of the five functions of language. Also find examples of euphemisms, dysphemisms and vagueness. Week 2: Language Homework: Find an example of each of the following concepts: Equivocation, Amphibology, Accentuation/Eduction, Weasel Words, Jargon. February 5: Language Continued Homework: Find examples of the four functions or types of definitions and the three ways to define. Week 3: Symbolic Logic February 12: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Homework: Symbolic Logic I: Problem Set A #'s 16-25; Problem Set B #'s 16-25. Week 4: Symbolic Logic February 19: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Homework: Symbolic Logic II: Problem Set A #'s, 21-25. Also draw up truth tables for the last three statements we symbolized in class. Week 5: Symbolic Logic Homework: Symbolic Logic IV: Problem Set B, #'s 1,3,5,7,9. February 26: Symbolic Logic Continued Week 6: Exam March 5: FIRST EXAM Week 7: Fallacies Homework: Find examples of five of the fallacies we discussed in class. March 12: Informal Fallacies (ISD 59-85) Homework: Find examples of five of the fallacies we discussed in class. Week 8: Personal Experience Homework: Find an example of a visual illusion. See if you can identify an explanation for that illusion. March 19: Personal Experience (ISD 196-222) Week 9: Science March 26: Empirical Science (ISD 242-266) Week 10: SPRING BREAK!! April 2: NO CLASS Week 11: Science Homework: Find a late-night infomercial type product and come up with an experiment to test it. Try to incorporate the three methods of research discussed in class into you experimental design. April 9: Empirical Science Continued Week 12: Exam April 16: EXAM 2 Week 13: Evolution and Intelligent Design April 23: Continue and discuss film; discuss pseudosciences for papers. Week 14: Bullshit April 30: In-class peer editing. Bring two copies of a draft of your essay to class. Continue "On Bullshit" (OB 31-67) Week 15: The Media May 7: Media Continued (ISD 290-306) (Final Paper Due) Week 16: The Media May 14: Media Continued Week 17: The Media May 21: Final Exam STUDENT EVALUATION:
≥ 90 = A ACADEMIC POLICIES: Attendance: During the first two weeks of class, students will be dropped for any unexcused absence. Starting during the third week, students may be dropped for missing two classes. In addition, students who arrive unreasonably late or leave unreasonably early will be marked absent. Professionalism: It is assumed that students will conduct themselves in a professional manner with a positive attitude. An open mind is one of the most important tools required for success in academia. If a student is negative and feels as is there is nothing of value to be gained by the college experience or this course, he or she will not do well in this course. Academic Integrity and Conduct: Mesa College students are bound by the Student Code of Conduct, Policy 3100. In this course, cheating, plagiarism, disruptions of instructional activity, fraud and/or lying will result in, at a minimum, a grade of “F” for the assignment/test with no make up permitted. Any of these infractions may result in an “F” for the course as well and formal disciplinary action by the Dean of Student Affairs as described in the code (as published in the catalog or online). Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and DSPS. DSPS can be found at http://www.sdmesa.edu/dsps/ or they can be contacted by phone at 619-388-2780. Voting: If you are not registered to vote, please register online today:tinyurl.com/reg2voteonline. Please choose the vote-by-mail option.TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE (Thanks to Professor June Yang):
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