Philosophy 100: Logic and Critical Thinking Spring 2013 CRN 89478 MW 8-9:25 Location: MV-07 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 Monday, August 19: Introduction (ISD 11-16) Wednesday, August 21: Language (ISD 19-37) Homework: Find examples of each of the five functions of language. Find two examples each of euphemisms and dysphemisms. Week 2: Language August 26:Language (ISD 38-49) Homework: Look at the Nostradamus Quatrain on page 30 (section 1.1.2) in the text, and interpret it to fit some event (you choose the event). August 28: Language Continued Homework: Find examples of each of the four functions of definitions and each of the three ways to define. Week 3: Symbolic Logic September 2: NO CLASS!! Labor Day September 4: Syllogisms (ISD 49-54) Homework: Find examples of the following arguments: (1) A valid argument with one true premise, one false premise and a true conclusion. (2) A valid argument with two true premises and a true conclusion. (3) An invalid argument with two true premises and a true conclusion. (4) A strong argument with one true premise, one false premise and a true conclusion. (5) A strong argument with two true premises and a true conclusion. (6) A weak argument with two true premises and a true conclusion. Week 4: Symbolic Logic September 9: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Homework: Symbolic Logic I; Problem Set A, #'s 21-25; Problem Set B, #'2 21-25. September 11: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Homework: Symbolic Logic 3, Group A, problems j-o; draw up a truth table for the last proposition in each of the problems j-o. Week 5: Symbolic Logic September 16: Symbolic Logic Continued Homework: Symbolic Logic 4, Problem Set B, #'s 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. September 18: Symbolic Logic Continued Homework: Symbolic Logic 4, Problem Set B, #'s 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Week 6: Exam September 23: Review for Exam September 25: FIRST EXAM Week 7: Fallacies September 30: Formal Fallacies (ISD 55-58) Homework: Find examples of five of the fallacies we discussed in class. October 2: Informal Fallacies (ISD 59-85) Week 8: Personal Experience October 7: Personal Experience (ISD 171-196) October 9: Personal Experience (ISD 196-222) Week 9: Science October 14: Empirical Science (ISD 223-242) October 16: Empirical Science (ISD 242-266) Homework: Come up with some alternative explanations for how a dowser was able to find underground water. Week 10: Science Homework: Find some product that makes an extraordinary claim, and then come up with an experiment to test that claim. Be sure to use as many of the research methods we discussed in class in the design of your experiment. October 23: Empirical Science Continued Week 11: Exam October 28: Review for Exam October 30: EXAM 2 Week 12: Evolution and Intelligent Design November 4: Watch film in class: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) November 6: Continue and Discuss Film Week 13: Evolution and Intelligent Design November 11: NO CLASS!! Veterans Day November 13: Evolution and Intelligent Design; Paper Topic Due in Class. Week 14: Bullshit November 18: "On Bullshit" (OB 1-30) November 20: In-class peer editing. Bring two copies of a draft of your essay to class. Continue "On Bullshit" (OB 31-67) Week 15: Thanksgiving November 25: NO CLASS!! Thanksgiving November 27: NO CLASS!! Thanksgiving Week 16: The Media December 2: Introduction (ISD 267-276), The Propaganda Model of Media (ISD 277-290) Homework: Find an example of a front group and try to figure out what that group is a front for. December 4: Media Continued (ISD 290-306) (Final Paper Due) Week 17: The Media December 9: Media Continued December 11: Media Continued, Review for Final Week 18: Final December 16: Final Exam STUDENT EVALUATION:
≥ 90 = A ACADEMIC POLICIES: Attendance: During the first two weeks of class, students will be dropped for any 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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