Critical Reasoning
Philosophy 200
“The democracy is only as good as the reasoning ability of its participants.”
Spring 2006 Dr. Leemon McHenry
Office Hours: TTh --7:30-8:00 am, 11:00-12:00 pm Sierra Tower 516
Website: www.csun.edu/~lmchenry Phone: 818-677-4710
Email: Leemon.McHenry@csun.edu
REQUIRED TEXT:
A Concise Introduction to Logic , by Patrick J. Hurley, 9th Edition, (Thomson-Wadsworth, 2006).
COMPUTER SOFTWARE:
Hurley’s Learning Logic 4.0 (on CD-ROM)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course satisfies the “Critical Reasoning” (A-2) section of the General Education Program, which recognizes critical reasoning as a fundamental competence.
Courses in this section of General Education take reasoning itself as their focus. Their goals are to provide students with criteria and methods for distinguishing good reasoning from bad and help students develop basic reasoning skills that they can apply both within a broad range of academic disciplines and outside the academic environment. Students are expected to acquire skill in recognizing the logical structure of statements and arguments, the ability to distinguish rational from non-rational means of persuasion, skill in applying the principles of sound reasoning in the construction and evaluation of arguments, and an appreciation of the value of critical reasoning skills in the pursuit of knowledge.
FORMAT:
Lectures and Practical Exercises--Initially lectures will be given to introduce new material or difficult concepts. The majority of this course will be devoted to detailed examination of solutions to exercises in A Concise Introduction to Logic. Students will be required to present such homework exercises to the class.
"In a republican nation, whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of the first importance."--Thomas Jefferson
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Mid-Term Exam (30%) --The exam includes multiple choice, true/false questions and short answers to logical problems.
2. Quizzes (30%) –There are approximately 8 quizzes. You are allowed to drop the lowest quiz grade. The remainder will be averaged for 30% of your final grade. Quizzes provide continuous feedback on the course material and prepare you for the exams.
3. Participation/Attendance (10%) --Attendance will be taken at each class session. Participation will be judged on the basis of your willingness to take an active role in the class, e.g., response to exercises and discussion of lecture material.
4. Final Exam (30%) --Comprehensive but focusing attention on the last half of the course material. The final exam covers propositional logic that involves basic concepts learned throughout the course.
GRADING STANDARDS:
A-- 90%-100% (Excellent); B-- 80%-89% (Good); C-- 70%-79% (Satisfactory); D-- 60%-69% (Passing); F 0%-59% (Failure). Plus/Minus grading will be used.
CLASS ETIQUETTE AND POLICIES:
1. Attendance is necessary but not sufficient to do well in this course. If you do miss any class session, find out before coming to class what you missed and make sure you are prepared for the next class session. Excessive absence will significantly lower your grade and normally results in failure.
2. If attendance alone is not sufficient, another necessary requirement for doing well in the course is preparation for each class. As a general rule of thumb, you should spend at least two hours outside of class preparing for each hour spent in class. (Students who do not prepare for class by doing assigned readings and exercises generally fail the course.)
3. Punctuality for class is a requirement, not an option. After the first five minutes, no late arrivals will be permitted.
4. Leaving class without prior permission from the instructor will not be permitted, especially after quizzes given at the beginning of the class period. Walking in and out of class on your own schedule is rude behavior.
5. Eating in class is not permitted.
6. There are no make-up quizzes or exams for unexcused absences. If an absence is excused, prior notification is required. Do not assume that a make-up exam or quiz will be given if you miss class. Make-ups are rare and given only under extreme circumstances. Moreover do not schedule anything that conflicts with the final exam. You are required to sit the exam during the scheduled time.
7. Please turn off cell phones, pagers and any other electronic devices during class time. Repeat offenders will be asked to leave class.
8. There will be no extra credit assignments in lieu of failing exams or quizzes. There will be bonus questions on exams to allow for extra points above 100%.
9. The last day to withdraw from the course without having to seek special permission is Friday, February 17. The last day to withdraw from the course solely by permission of the instructor is Friday, February 24. After that date, according to CSUN’s regulations, withdrawals will require additional approvals and can only be obtained for “serious and compelling reasons,” and provided that there is “no viable alternative.” See Spring 2006 Schedule of Classes, p. 13.
10. The instructor is committed to upholding the university’s policy regarding academic dishonesty. See the university catalogue, Appendix C, Academic Dishonesty.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS:
1. Introduction to Logic and Critical Reasoning
Democracy and the Rise of Logic
Basic Logical Concepts
Arguments and Explanations
Deduction and Induction
Truth, Validity and Soundness
Strength and Cogency
Informal Fallacies (selected)
Readings and Exercises: Chapters 1 and 3
EXAM 1 (one hour fifteen minutes)
2. Elementary Propositional Logic
Symbols and Translation
Truth Tables for Propositions
Truth Tables for Arguments
Argument Forms and Fallacies
Natural Deduction
Readings and Exercises: Chapters 6 and 7EXAM 2 (two hours)
“Arguments, like men, are often pretenders.” –Plato