Syllabus

Logic & Critical Reasoning

Philosophy 200, fall 2011
Section 01, MWF 9-9:50 am, Bowman 211
Section 02, MWF 10-10:50 am, Bowman 211

Instructor: Professor Matthew R. Silliman
Office: 100 Porter Street, room 6
Phone: 662-5449; Fax: 662-5368; Email: m.silliman@mcla.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:15-2:15, and by appointment

Required Text

Hurley, Patrick, A Concise Introduction to Logic (abbreviated edition available
only through MCLA Bookstore)

Course Focus

This course examines and applies the basic principles of cogent, sound, or critical reasoning in speech and writing. The specific aim of the course is to develop both theoretical and practical understanding of the structure of language, especially as it applies to inference. In so doing we will touch to some extent on the nature and processes of knowledge, and the role of emotion and reason in seeking and conveying knowledge. More generally, the course explores and critiques the idea of reason as a way of organizing human experience, and as a framework through which to view the world.

Course Objectives

1. Examine key elements of the structure, use, and abuse of human language (including such notions as truth, reasoning, argument, rhetoric, and fallacy)
2. Sharpen students’ ability to think, read, and write critically and thoughtfully
3. Refine students’ ability to engage in rigorous and respectful dialogue
4. Engage in scholarly research and writing on a question of intellectual significance, explicitly applying principles of critical reasoning
 
Pedagogical Expectations

I expect that, as college students, you spend a significant proportion of your time reading, writing, and engaging in thoughtful, respectful conversation with your peers and professors. I also expect that most of the time you enjoy these activities, and regard learning as intrinsically fun and valuable. Some desiderata of our work together:
Timeliness, and completion of assignments according to assigned specifications, are measures of both scholarly diligence and respect for others’ efforts. Late or imprecise work will receive part credit.
Preparation for class involves readiness to engage with the material and the class in active, collaborative discussion. Thus attendance and its attendant preparation are not optional. Plagiarism is poisonous to an effective learning community, which relies for its healthy functioning on trust and openness. Presenting others’ work as your own, or failing adequately to credit the sources of your language or ideas, must have serious consequences.
Laptop Policy: Like a concert hall or theatre, our classroom is reserved for face-to-face interaction. Thus you may bring your laptop to class, but it should be turned off and stowed away. The same policy applies to cell phones, IPods, and all other distracting gadgets. Please print out in advance any electronic material needed for class.

Assignments

Each of you will be doing several sorts of work concurrently:
1) Read and discuss assigned texts, and attempt the supplied exercises
2) Review for regular announced quizzes (these cannot be made up under any circumstances)
3) Research, outline, and write a critical essay on an agreed-upon topic, about which you will give a brief presentation near the end of the course (details to follow)
4a) Set up a logic blog for the course, linked to B’Logic (www.bloggingforlogic.blogspot.com), posting a minimum of one entry and one thoughtful (thought not necessarily lengthy) comment on other students’ blogs per week. I will make periodic suggestions for the nature of the blogs some weeks. OR:
4b) Research, outline, and write a second critical essay (Caveat: even students who choose this option are responsible for following the blog as preparation for class.)

Evaluation

Your grade for the course will be based approximately on:
Quizzes: 10%
Research essay and presentation: 25%
Midterm and final examinations: 40%
Blogs/second essay: 25%

Tentative Course Schedule (subject to revision)

Week 1 (9/7-9): Introduction; Hurley, section 1.1

Week 2 (9/12-16): Hurley, sections 1.2 – 1.3 (quiz Friday)

Week 3 (9/19-23): Hurley, sections 1.4 – 1.5 (quiz Friday)

Week 4 (9/26-30): Hurley, section 2.1 – 2.2 (quiz Friday)

Week 5 (10/3-7): Hurley, sections 3.1 – 3.2 (quiz Friday)

Week 6 (10/10-14): (Monday holiday) Hurley, sections 3.3 – 3.4 (quiz Friday)

Week 7 (10/17-21): Hurley, section 3.5, review (quiz Friday)

Week 8 (10/24-28): review, mid-term examination

Week 9 (10/31-11/4): Hurley 4.1 – 4.2 (quiz Friday)

Week 10 (11/7-11): (Friday holiday) Hurley 4.3 – 4.4

Week 11 (11/14-18): Hurley 4.5 – 4.6 (quiz Friday)

Week 12 (11/21-23): (Thanksgiving break) review, presentations

Week 13 (11/28-12/2): review, presentations

Week 14 (12/5-9): review, presentations

Week 15 (12/12-14): Examination review

Without exception, the final examination will be held as scheduled by the Registrar.