Philosophy 100: Logic and Critical Thinking Spring 2015 CRN 48831 MW 8-9:25 Location: SB-211 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, January 26: Introduction (ISD 11-16) Wednesday, January 28: Language (ISD 19-37) Week 2: Language February 2: Language (ISD 38-49) Homework: Find examples of the deceptive features of language we discussed in class: Equivocation, Amphibology, Accentuation, Eduction, Weasel Words, and Jargon. February 4: Language Continued Homework: Find an example of each of the four functions of definitions and the three ways to define. Week 3: Symbolic Logic February 9: Syllogisms (ISD 49-54) February 11: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Week 4: Symbolic Logic February 16: NO CLASS!! February 18: Symbolic Logic (Materials Available Online) Week 5: Symbolic Logic February 23: Symbolic Logic Continued February 25: Symbolic Logic Continued Week 6: Exam March 2: Review for Exam March 4: FIRST EXAM Week 7: Fallacies March 9: Formal Fallacies (ISD 55-58) March 11: Informal Fallacies (ISD 59-85) Week 8: Personal Experience March 16: Personal Experience (ISD 171-196) March 18: Personal Experience (ISD 196-222) Week 9: Science March 23: Empirical Science (ISD 223-242) March 25: Empirical Science (ISD 242-266) Week 10: SPRING BREAK!! March 30: NO CLASS!! April 1: NO CLASS!! Week 11: Science April 6: Empirical Science Continued April 8: Empirical Science Continued; Introduction of Paper Topic Week 12: Science April 13: Empirical Science Continued April 15: Empirical Science Continued Week 13: Exam April 20: Review for Exam April 22: EXAM 2 Week 14: Bullshit April 27: "On Bullshit" (OB 1-30) April 29: 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 4: Introduction (ISD 267-276), The Propaganda Model of Media (ISD 277-290) May 6: Media Continued (ISD 290-306) (Final Paper Due) Week 16: The Media May 11: Media Continued May 13: Media Continued Week 17: The Media May 18: Review for Final May 20: 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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