Philosophy 100: Logic and Critical Thinking Fall 2014 CRN 82737 MW 8-9:25 Location: MV-06 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 18: Introduction (ISD 11-16) Wednesday, August 20: Language (ISD 19-37) Homework: Find an example of each of the five functions of language. Find three pairs of words that have the same denotation but different connotations. Week 2: Language August 25:Language (ISD 38-49) Homework: Find examples of five different deceptive features of language we discussed in class today (Euphemism, Dysphemism, Vagueness, Equivocation, Amphibology, Accentuation, Weasel Words, Jargon) August 27: Language Continued Homework: Find examples to illustrate each of the four functions of definitions as well as the three ways to define. Week 3: Symbolic Logic September 1: NO CLASS!! Labor Day September 3: Syllogisms (ISD 49-54) Week 4: Symbolic Logic September 8: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Homework: Symbolic Logic I: Problem Set A: #'s 21-25; Problem Set B #'s 21-25. September 10: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Homework: Symbolic Logic II: Problem Set A, #'s 21-25. Week 5: Symbolic Logic September 15: Symbolic Logic Continued Homework: Symbolic Logic IV: Problem Set B, #'s 1,3,5,7,9. September 17: Symbolic Logic Continued Week 6: Exam September 22: Review for Exam September 24: FIRST EXAM Week 7: Fallacies September 29: Formal Fallacies (ISD 55-58); Class will permanently relocate to SB-212 October 1: Informal Fallacies (ISD 59-85) Week 8: Personal Experience October 6: Personal Experience (ISD 171-196) October 8: Personal Experience (ISD 196-222) Homework: Find examples of two optical illusions. Week 9: Personal Experience October 13: Personal Experience October 15: Personal Experience Week 10: Science October 20: Empirical Science (ISD 223-242) October 22: Empirical Science (ISD 242-266) Week 11: Science October 27: October 29: Week 12: Exam November 3: Review for Exam November 5: Week 13: Evolution and Intelligent Design November 10: Evolution and Intelligent Design November 12: Week 14: Bullshit November 17: "On Bullshit" (OB 1-30) November 19: 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 24: NO CLASS!! Thanksgiving November 26: NO CLASS!! Thanksgiving Week 16: The Media December 1: Introduction (ISD 267-276), The Propaganda Model of Media (ISD 277-290) December 3: Media Continued (ISD 290-306) (Final Paper Due) Week 17: The Media December 8: Media Continued December 10: Media Continued, Review for Final Week 18: Final December 15: 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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