PHIL B7: Introduction to Logic s1

“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence.” — Bertrand Russell, Roads to Freedom PHIL B7: Introduction to Logic Bakersfield College Summer 2009 (3 units) Sections: MTWR, CRN , Time: 8-10:08 AM, Room: Hum-105 MTWR, CRN , Time: 10:15-12:23 PM, Room: Hum-105

Professor: Michael McNellis Office: FACE 15A (east of Humanities bldg, through double-doors on the west side) Office Telephone: 395-4935 My E-mail: [email protected] My URL: http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/mmcnellis

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to help you develop your critical thinking skills while at the same time assisting you in understanding the nature of argumentation. We will focus on correct reasoning and its relationship to language, thought, and argument. The first three-quarters of the semester will be devoted to learning deductive and inductive arguments along with prepositional logic, including truth tables, and natural deduction. We will conclude with a study and practice of the most common informal fallacies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: All successful students will be able to do the following upon completion of this course: 1. Identify and evaluate an argument using established criteria. 2. Discriminate between inductive and deductive arguments. 3. Determine whether arguments are valid or invalid, strong or weak, good or bad using any one of the three methods: identifiable forms, reasoning or informal fallacies. 4. Evaluate validity of deductive arguments by applying all the following methods: substitution, truth tables, and natural deduction (and rules of inference).

ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES: 1. Recognize occurrences of arguments and non-arguments. 2. Analyze arguments into their supporting elements (premises) and their supported element (conclusion). 3. Assess the strength and weaknesses of arguments. 4. Construct good arguments.

REQUIRED Textbook: Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic, 10th Edition Recommend that you purchase the CD-ROM from the publisher's website

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING

- 1 - QUIZZES & IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS (varies) Stay on your toes! A series of short, but helpful, quizzes will be administered at the beginning of each class period, unless I feel that the class is not quite ready for them. Reflecting the homework exercises and lecture, these quizzes are not intended to be difficult or tricky. If you find yourself having a challenging time with them, then I seriously encourage you to talk to me as soon as possible. We, then, can work together to diagnose the problem(s) and, with a bit of luck, solve them to keep you on track in this course. If you have a tight schedule or not, I will, nevertheless, do my best to accommodate your needs. NO MAKE-UP quizzes will be given.

We will also be working from the textbook everyday, so ALWAYS BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK TO CLASS.

 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS Since the quizzes and exams are based on the homework problems, it is in your best interest to complete these assignments. You are required to hand-in assigned homework packets. They ought to handed-in as follows: 1) all assigned questions answered and 2) STAPLED together for organizational purposes with 3) a LIST outlining the actual assignment with page numbers (can be on first page of homework) and 4) A CHECK next to each completed section.

Example of title page: Assignment: Section 1.1, Part I- III Odd, pp. 9-15. Part I: ___ Part II: ___ Part III: __ (missing question 33 and 45 only, because I didn’t understand them)

These packets will NOT be graded, only checked for completeness. By “completeness”, I mean that you have made a genuine effort at answering the problem--not that the answers are right or wrong. The idea is that there is a sincere attempt to solve the problems. No credit will be given to incomplete packets.  If you turn in all your homework packets, then you earn the full 25 points.  If you miss 1 or 2 homework packets, then you earn 21 points.  If you miss 3 or 4 homework packets, then you earn 17 points.  If you miss more than 5 homework packets, then you earn 0 points. Note: if I choose to check a homework packet for correctness and find it wanting in effort, i.e., there seems to be answers jotted down to make it seem as if real work had been done when in fact there was not, the packet will not be accepted. NO LATE PACKETS ACCEPTED. Assignments distributed daily. If a student misses a class, then the student is still responsible for getting and completing the assignments on time. See Appendix I for the homework assignments (without due dates). Students should anticipate weekly homework assignments and quizzes.

 EXAMS (400 pts) These are designed to help you recall vocabulary and explain key logical concepts while also giving you an opportunity to display your understanding of logical problems and arguments. There will be 4 exams, which most likely will include both a written and scantron portion. It stands to reason then that doing your homework will directly and positively affect your grades on

- 2 - quizzes and exams. If you must miss an exam, see below under “classroom policies.” You MUST BRING A SCANTRON 882-E FORM to all exams except the final exam.

EXTRA CREDIT (Maximum 10 pts) Maximum number of X-Credit points earned will not exceed 10 pts. You may use one of or combine any of the three different projects to earn your maximum number of extra credit points. Class Participation (Max 3 pts): 3 possible points toward overall grade may be given to any student that consistently and thoughtfully contributes to our class discussions. You will be notified if you receive this extra credit. Don't assume that you've earned Group Study (Max 10 hours = 10 pts): 1 point toward overall grade for each hour spent studying with another student(s) (maximum of 10 points per 10 hours for each student). Each student must submit names, times, and signatures of all involved in study in order to get credit.

Breakdown of Grading Policy: 1. Participation & quizzes (varies) 2. Homework (25 pts) 3. Exam #1 (100 pts) 4. Exam #2 (100 pts) 5. Exam #3 (100 pts) 6. Exam #4 (100 pts) X-Credit (0-10 pts)

Letter grades&their percentage equivalents: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 59% or below

CLASSROOM POLICIES

ALWAYS BRING TEXTBOOK TO CLASS

Attend and participate in class: This includes attending class, showing up on time, displaying interest in the subject, and completing in-class assignments, all of which will not be able to be made-up if missed. You may be dropped missing after 4 class meetings. It is your responsibility to verify that you have been dropped if you decide not to come back to class. If I don’t drop you, you will be responsible for dropping yourself or receiving an “F” grade.

Actively engage the class discussions: The more you actively participate in the class discussions, the more you learn. I genuinely believe this.

Please, visit me in my office hours: Because I believe student success and material retention is in part tied to quality of communication you have with your professor, I will give you 3 points toward your overall grade for visiting me during my office hours at least once during the semester. Note that this is not a mandatory suggestion. Your grade will not be affected if you don't visit me.

Don’t be late policy (tardiness): No on-going lateness will be tolerated. However, because I understand that you may just be running late sometimes, everyone will be given 3 free late passes. Beyond that if you continue to come in late, your overall grade may be reduced 5 pts off your overall grade for each of those recurring times. I will notify you when you have reached this point. Please be respectful to your fellow students and me when you come in late.

- 3 - Missing exams: Any make-up exam will be subject to a 21% reduction from original score and thus a maximum score of 79% can be achieved. No excuse is needed. Any medical or emergency condition preventing you from taking the exam, however, will require a doctor's note or appropriate validation to avoid the reduction of grade.

Please turn off cell phones, headphones, or any other classroom disruptor. If you need your cell phone, please put it on vibrate mode. Thank you!

Don’t Plagiarize & uphold academic honesty standards: Any submitted work must be from the effort of the student taking the class. Any student violating any of the standards of academic dishonesty and integrity will be assigned an F grade for that assignment & the appropriate Dean may be notified. See catalogue for more info.

Important Note: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Supportive Services (661-395-4334), FACE 16, as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Studying hard keeps the mind healthy!

Appendix I EXTRA CREDIT

FORMAT FOR TURNING IN GROUP STUDY a) Put your name, instructor’s name, course number, & date in upper left hand corner. b) You must write all the names of the people present and obtain signatures (only one paper needs to be handed in per group) c) You must include location where you studied and the times that you were there d) You must total the number of hours studied in a group and place in the middle and on the top of the paper. Circle the number. (I will not total the number of hours for you!) g) You cannot have more than 10 hours of group study

- 4 - Appendix II HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Chapters, Sections & Problems: 1.1 Part I, II, III, and IV (odd) 1.2 Part I, II, III, and IV (odd) 1.3 Part I, II, III, and IV (odd) 1.4 Part I, II, and III (odd); Part IV and V (all) 1.5 Part I and II (all) 1.6 Part I (all), Part II (1-6 only)

3.2 Part I (odd), Part II (all) 3.3 Part I, II, and III (odd) 3.4 Part I, II, and III (odd)

6.1 Part I, II, and III (odd) 6.2 Part I, II, III, and IV (odd) 6.3 Part I, II, III, and IV (odd) 6.4 Part I and II (odd) 6.6 Part I, II, III (but don’t do the refutation), IV (odd)

7.1 Part I, II, III and IV (odd) 7.2 Part I, II, III and IV (odd) 7.3 Part I, II, III and IV (odd) 7.4 Part I, II, III and IV (odd) ______

Homework Packets ought to be handed-in according to these rules: 1) all assigned questions answered and 2) STAPLED together for organizational purposes with 3) a LIST outlining the actual assignment with page numbers (can be on first page of homework) and 4) A CHECK next to each completed section.

- 5 - Summer 2009

Course Calendar (Tentative) All assignments on a given day are to be completed BEFORE coming to class Any portion of this syllabus is subject to change – always verify w/ instructor

WEEK ASSIGNMENTS Mon: Introductions Tues: Section 1.1, 1.6 1 Wed: Section 1.6, 1.2 Thurs: Section 1.2, 1.3, quiz 1 Mon: Section 1.3, 1.4 Tues: Section 1.4, Arg. Evaluation 2 Wed: Arg. Evaluation Thurs: Review, quiz 2 Mon: Exam #1 (Bring Scantron 882-E) – Study Hard Tues: Section 3.2 3 Wed: Section 3.3 Thurs: Section 3.4, quiz 3 Mon: Exam #2 (Bring Scantron 882-E) – Study Hard Tues: Section 6.1 only 4 Wed: Section 6.1, 6.2 Thurs: Section 6.2, 6.3, quiz 4 Mon: Section 6.3 Tues: Section 6.4, Review 5 Wed: Exam #3 (Bring Scantron 882-E) – Study Hard Thurs: Section 7.1 Mon: Section 7.1, 7.2 Tues: Section Review 7.1 and 7.2, 7.3 6 Wed: Section 7.3, Review Thurs: Final Exam #4 (No Scantron needed)

Congratulations! Enjoy your summer!