PHIL 3 – Introduction to Logic
Mt. San Antonio College
Winter Intersession 2019
Syllabus/Outline
6 Week Courses
Beginning 01/7/2019 and Ending 02/15/2019
No Mandatory Meetings*
CRN: 30253
CRN: 30254
CRN: 30346
The Course will be available in Canvas for Check-in January 7
Professor: Charles T. McGruder, Ph.D
Office: Building 26D, Room 2481E (by appointment)
Telephone: (909) 274-4595
Email: cmcgruder@mtsac.edu
Web Address: https://faculty.mtsac.edu/cmcgruder/
Class Web Page: https://inside.mtsac.edu/
Students are expected to be proficient in Canvas:
the Learning Management System (LMS) for Distance Learning at Mt. SAC.
You may want to take the Course:
STDY 85C - Study Techniques and Skills for Online Learning.
All Quizzes and Exams, including the Final Exam
are taken in Canvas. They are not timed.
(When you take a Quiz or Exam, Save your answers as you go
in case there is a system or power problem)
Canvas recommends that you use Crome as your browser.
Other browsers (Safri or Firefox)
should be fine if you have the latest version.
We do not recommend: Internet Explorer.
Logic - Custom Edition
The Custom Edition is available at Mt. SAC Bookstore (SacBookRac)
13th Edition, by Patrick J. Hurley, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1-337-450065
Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 6
See: FAQs in Canvas about textbook.
If you have the 12th edition or a different edition of the Textbook that is fine.
The Page Numbers do not matter as much as the Chapter and Section Numbers.
The Custom Edition comes from:
A Concise Introduction to Logic
13th edition by Patrick J. Hurley, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-305-958098-8
Dictionary – College Level
English Handbook
Recommended
Do You Think What You Think You Think?
The Ultimate Philosophical Handbook
By Julian Baggini and Jeremy Stangroom, 2007
Just The Arguments
100 of the Most Important Arguments
In Western Philosophy
Edited by Michael Bruce and Steven Barbone. 2011
Handouts
Glossary, Uses of Language, Definition,
Seven Steps in Argument Analysis, Validity and Strength,
Instructions for Fallacy Notebook,
Induction, Deduction and the Scientific Method
Critical Thinking Format/Study Sheet
Course Description
The analysis of language as an instrument of sound thinking in morals, politics, and everyday life. The course is designed to assist students to analyze an argument, avoid faulty conclusions in reasoning, understand levels of meaning and kinds of arguments, avoid verbal pitfalls, understand the steps of scientific methods, and identify value assumptions.
Purpose
The purpose of this course is to "do philosophy." Wonder is central to philosophy, not only as a starting point but also as a principle and foundation from which everything else proceeds. Philosophy is a radicalization of wonder in all directions. But radicalization is a slow process and we are obliged to work the same ground over and over again. Only in this way can the process continue and only thus can it realize its total potential.
To do philosophy is to conscientiously immerse ourselves in the process and product of seeking meaning in the world. Our primary concern is for the personal dimension which plays/works in the creation and criticism of all claims to knowledge and understanding. We will use "content" and "information" however our concern is the context for transformation.
Goals
An enhanced self/social understanding
An enhanced capacity to be philosophical; to grapple with language, values,
to discern value judgments, to relate meaning/facts/attitudes.
A disciplined engagement with contemporary themes and issues in life.
An enlargement of communication and critical thinking skills.
An introduction to propositional/formal logic.
Use of visual/analytical methods.
Grading
A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = 59% and below
Quizzes: 20% of grade; Exams: 60% of grade; Homework and Post; 20% of grade
I run a straight point system, so you may compute your grade at any time
by dividing the number of points earned by the number of current points possible.
Check Canvas for status of your grade.
Please note:
Neatness and whether or not all instructions have been followed
will be factors in the grade.
Measurable Objectives
The student will:
1. Identify different uses of language and use them appropriately
2. Recognize good reasoning from bad reasoning
3. Identify and correctly label the fallacies used in everyday speech,
as well as in politics, advertising, and literature
4. Employ logical rules to organize their thoughts, solve personal problems as well as academic problems
5. Analyze and diagram ordinary language arguments to outline their structure and consistency
6. Classify and Evaluate arguments as inductive or deductive
and determine validity and strength, soundness and cogency
7. Reformulate natural language into symbolic form to determine its validity with Truth Tables
8. Define terms and evaluate definitions employing the rules of definitions
to avoid or detect ambiguity, vagueness, and circularity
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
SLOs are: Pre and Post Quizzes
Attendance Policy/Check-in
Check-in by 1/7
Drop Policy
Last Date to drop without a "W": Jan. 14
Last Date to drop with a "W": Jan. 30
Any student missing more than 20% of class or assignments
before the drop date must be dropped by the professor.
How much time does this class require?
This is an 6 week online course and requires no on-campus time.
The class does need to match 54 on-campus hours plus homework time.
So this class will take about 89+ hours to complete.
(an average of about 15+ hours per week)
Makeup Policy
No make ups allowed. I will accept assignments early, but not late.
ACCESS Accommodations
Mt. SAC strives to make its courses accessible to everyone. It specifically considers features that make its courses accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those using assistive technology for computer access. if you need special accommodations, please contact both the professor and Mt. SAC Accessibility Resource Centers for Students (ACCESS) at (909) 274-4290 or http://www.mtsac.edu/students/dsps/
Writing Center
The Writing Center offers free tutoring and workshops to help students with writing in any course at Mt. SAC. Also, the Center’s computer lab offers printing services, access to the Internet, and lab tutors to help students with their writing while working at their computers. The Writing Center is located in 26B-100, behind the Clock Tower. For tutoring, students can stop by to make an appointment or call (909) 274-5325. You can also visit their website at http://writingcenter.mtsac.edu for more information.
Calendar and Course Outline
This is an Six Week/Short Term Course. The calendar and course outline are guidelines to complete the course in a timely manner. If you wish to work ahead, Quizzes and Exams can be made available.
The Course Process
Read textbook sections, study the examples and take notes or highlight, do exercises, (if you have difficulty with the examples or exercises, post to the Discussion: ASK or email me) take quiz, post, then the pattern repeats. The exercises do not have to be turned in. Read, do exercises, take quiz, post. The first quiz 2.2 II. will be available the first week. When you complete the Chapter Work, Discussion, and Handout Work for the Chapter, review and take the Chapter Exam.
All quizzes and exams, including the Final Exam, are taken in Canvas.
Use the Syllabus/Calendar as a guide to work through the material in a timely manner. If, however, you wish to work through the material more quickly than the calendar suggests, the quizzes and exams can be made available.
Complete the tasks in Canvas to verify your enrollment!
1. Read and review the Check-in Page in Canvas
2. Print and Review Syllabus/Outline
3. Take Pre-Survey
4. Introduce Yourself on the Discussion: Introductions/Schedules
5. Read Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Textbook
6. Read: FAQs(Bottom of page)
7. Read: MT.SAC Student Canvas Orientation Module
Email me by January 8 that tasks are completed (1-7)! (Check in)
If you do not Check-in please Drop.
Include Full Name on email and CRN on Subject Line
Welcome to Introduction to Logic Online!
The Logic Course is available in Canvas,
Check-in Process: To locate the course
Login to: https://inside.mtsac.edu/ and enter User name and Password.
Click on the eLearning Resources tab.
Click on Sign on to MtSAC Canvas.
Click on CRN for PHIL 3 - Introduction to Logic.
Follow The Check-in Process in Canvas.
If you can not Login be patient and try again later,
if you still have problems Loging in, call the HELP DESK: 909-274-4357.
You must complete the Check-in process by 1/7/2019 to verify your enrollment.
If you do not Check-in, it is your responsibility to Drop the course.
Good luck and see you online!
Calendar Course Outline
Week Day Discussion Topics and Readings
1 Jan. 7 Course is available in Canvas (Due 1/7)
1. Read and Review the Check-in Page
2. Print and review Syllabus
3. Take Pre-Survey in Canvas
4. Introduce Yourself on Discussion Intro/Schedules
5. Read Course Introduction in Canvas
Introduction to Philosophy, Logic, and the Textbook
6. Read: FAQs (Bottom of page)
7. Read: MT.SAC Student Canvas Orientation Module
Email me that you have completed (1-7) the Check-in by 1/7!
I must drop you if I do not receive your Check-in.
Jan. 7 Follow the Assignments in Canvas (Due dates are in Canvas)
Discussion Topics and Readings
Discussion: Current Events 1 (First Three Weeks) Due Friday 1/25
Read: Chapter 2 - Language: Meaning and Definition
2.1 Varieties of Meaning: Cognitive and Emotive Meaning
2.2 Intension and Extension of Terms; Quiz
2.3 Definitions and Purposes; Quiz
2.4 Definition Techniques; Quiz
2.5 Criteria for Lexical Definitions
2.5 Criteria for Lexical Definitions; Discussion Due Friday 1/11
2 14 Chapter 2 Handouts: Uses of Language and Definition
Study Guide for Chapter 2 Exam in Canvas
Chapter 2 Exam Due 1/20
Read: Chapter 1 - Basic Concepts
1.1 Arguments, Premises, Conclusions; Quiz; Discussion: 1.1 and 1.2 Due Friday, 1/18
1.2 Recognizing Arguments; Quiz
3 21 1.3 Deduction and Induction; Quiz
Classifying Arguments
1.4 Validity; Soundness; Strength; Cogency; Quiz
Evaluating Arguments
Handout: Validity and Strength
1.5 Argument Forms: Proving Invalidity
Discussion: Current Events 1 - Due Friday, 1/25 (See Week 1)
Chapter 1 Glossary Exam Due 1/27
Chapter 1 Exam Due 1/27
4 28 Discussion: Current Events 2 (Last Three Weeks) Due Friday, 2/15
Read: Chapter 3 - Informal Fallacies
3.1 Fallacies in General
3.2 Fallacies of Relevance; Quiz
3.3 Fallacies of Weak Induction; Quiz
Mid-Chapter Fallacy Quiz Due 2/3
3.4 Fallacies of Presumption, Ambiguity ... ; Quiz
Discussion Chapter 3 Due Friday, 2/1
3.5 Fallacies in Ordinary Language
Chapter 3 Informal Fallacies Exam Due 2/3
5 Feb. 4 Read: Chapter 6 - Propositional Logic
6.1 Symbols and Translation; Quiz
6.2 Truth Function; Quiz
Handout: Problem Solving & Scientific Method
Post: 8-10 Insights From Handout:
Induction/Deduction; Due Friday, 2/8
6.3 Truth Tables for Propositions
Classifying Statements
Comparing Statements
6 11 6.4 Truth Tables for Arguments
6.5 Indirect Truth Tables
6.6 Argument Forms and Fallacies
Discussion: Current Events 2 - Due Friday, 2/15
Final Exam (Comprehensive) Due 2/16
Take Post-Quiz in Canvas
17 Last day of Course, all work should be completed
by 11:55 pm!
| Last Updated: 10/19/22 |