Phil 101-12 F15: Schedule and Syllabus

PHILOSOPHY 101: Introduction to Logic
Fall 2015
Section 12 CRN: 2940    W 6:00-8:50 PM    Location: Serra Hall 314


INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Ian Duckles
          Email: imduckles@gmail.com
          Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 PM or by appointment
          Office: Founder's Hall 168A

TEXTBOOKLogic 2nd Edition, Stan Baronett. Oxford University Press, 2013. ISBN: 9780199846313

COURSE DESCRIPTION: “The study of arguments, including basic principles of traditional logic together with an introduction to modern sentential logic. Topics include recognizing arguments, premises, conclusions, induction and deduction, fallacies, categorical syllogisms, and sentential inference forms” (USD Course Catalog). This course satisfies the logic requirement.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: During this course, students will be asked to do some or all of the following:
1.    Distinguish arguments from non-arguments
2.    Distinguish deductive arguments from inductive arguments
3.    Identify the premises and conclusion of arguments
4.    Identify types of informal fallacies
5.    Test arguments for validity using Venn diagrams and/or truth tables and indirect truth tables
6.    Distinguish necessary and sufficient conditions
7.    Translate sentences into propositional logic
8.    Apply the techniques of natural deduction to proving arguments (this may include reduction and conditional proofs)

COURSE CALENDAR (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.

Week 1: Introduction
Wednesday, September 2: Introduction, Chapter 1: What Logic Studies (pp. 2-44)
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 2: Diagramming
September 9: Chapter 3: Diagrams and Analysis (pp.89-117)
Homework: Page 93 #'s 11-15; Pages 97-98 #'s 20-24.

Week 3: Fallacies 
September 16: Chapter 4: Informal Fallacies (pp. 118-163)
Homework: Find examples of each of the fallacies we discussed in class. 

Week 4: Fallacies
September 23: Fallacies Continued
            
Week 5: First Exam
September 30: Review for Exam; First Examination (20% of Overall Final Grade)
            
Week 6: Propositional Logic
October 7: Chapter 7.A-7.C (pp. 288-314)
Homework: Pages 303-304, Problem Set II #'s 1-20.

Week 7: Propositional Logic.
October 14: Chapter 7.D-7.H (pp. 314-335)
Homework: Page 319, #'s 11-20; Page 321, #'s 2-10. 

Week 8: Propositional Logic
October 21Chapter 7.I (pp. 335-353)
Homework: Pages 334-335, #'s 11-20.

Week 9: Second Exam 
October 28: Review for Exam; Second Examination (20% of Overall Final Grade)

Week 10: Natural Deduction
November 4: Chapter 8.A-8.C (354-372)
Homework: Pages 370-372, #'s 2-20.

Week 11: Natural Deduction
November 11: Chapter 8.D (373-385)

Week 12: Methods of Deduction
November 18: Chapter 8.E (pp. 385-398)
Homework: pp 384-385 #'s 2-6; pp 393-394 all problems.

Week 13: Thanksgiving
November 25NO CLASS! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Week 14: Methods of Deduction
December 2: Chapter 8.F-8.H (pp. 399-427)
Homework: Page 398 #'s 2-6; pp. 408-409 #'s 11-20.

Week 15: Extra Day and Review
December 9: Extra Day; Review for Final

The Final Exam for this course will be on Wednesday, December 16 from 8 - 10:00 PM in Serra Hall 314

STUDENT EVALUATION:
20% Midterm Examination 1
20% Midterm Examination 2
20% Final Examination
20% Homework (Homework will be due at the start of the class for which it is assigned. I will not accept late assignments)
20% Quizzes (These will be given weekly at the start of class, they cannot be made up if missed)

A: 93-100 %

A-: 90-92 %

B+: 88-89 %

B: 83-87 %
B-: 80-82 %
C+: 78-79 %

C: 70-77 %
D: 60-69 %
F:  <60 %

ACADEMIC POLICIES:
Student Responsibility to Drop/Withdraw: It is the student’s responsibility to officially add, drop, or withdraw from the course stated in the class schedule. Failure to do so can result in a failing grade.

Class Attendance: A student may be disenrolled from the course after two absences; however, a student will be disenrolled from the course after three absences without exception. (This count will begin at the first session of Week 2.) ATTENDANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THIS PARTICULAR COURSE.

Tardiness/Early Departure: If a student arrives unreasonably late or leaves early without notifying the instructor before the event, then that student will be considered absent for that class session.

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: Plagiarism, cheating and poor student conduct will not be tolerated. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the USD Integrity Policy. This can be found at http://www.sandiego.edu/associatedstudents/branches/vice-president/academics/honor-council/integrity-policy.php

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and Disability Services. Information can be found athttp://www.sandiego.edu/disability/.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE (Thanks to Professor June Yang):
  1. Be optimistic about your ability to learn from the textbook, the instructor, and each other.
  2. Do all homework and all the readings. The homework will be collected every time, and spot-checked, and the readings will help you understand the course material.
  3. Be prepared to spend time outside of class working on class material, doing readings, homework, preparing for quizzes and exams, etc.
  4. Ask questions if you don't understand something.
  5. Remember that you are gifted with more education and intelligence than many persons on this planet. If you try, you are sure to get it, or at least most of it!
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