Fall 2020 PHIL 1313.64304: Logic and Critical Thinking This course offers an introduction to some of the fundamentals of both informal and formal logic. To aid you, I have created powerpoints, instructional videos, additional exercises beyond those in the textbook, practice tests, etc.. I am also available through the day to answer emails. To begin: (1) read through the syllabus, (2) enter the assignment dates on your personal calendar, (3) familiarize yourself with the online course materials, (4) view the “Welcome” Powerpoint Contact me at: [email protected] if you have any questions. SYLLABUS: PHIL 1313 (ONLINE - FALL 2020) Instructor: Lawrence Pasternack, Ph.D. Email: [email protected] (email me with course content questions as they come up. Through much of the day, I usually can respond right away. Evening emails will usually receive a response the next morning.) ZOOM: if you need help with any course content, email me. Sometimes your issues can be addressed via email, but we can also meet via Zoom. I am usually free 11am-3pm MWF and 11am-2pm TR. If you want to meet, contact me early in the day or a day prior. Grader: Sarah Mutschelknaus, M.A. – [email protected] Course Canvas Web Site accessed via: canvas.okstate.edu Note: Canvas auto-grades the quizzes and some elements of the tests, the grader will be grading the exercises and tests based upon answer keys from Dr. Pasternack. Required Text • Moore and Parker, Critical Thinking, 12th Edition. ISBN 978-1259690877 OPTIONAL: “Connect Access Code for the 12th Edition” ISBN 978-1259845789 Recommended Resources There are numerous websites devoted to both informal and formal logic. Some will overlap with course content. You can google “list of fallacies,” or look for videos on argument diagraming, truth tables, etc.. Many will be helpful, but feel free to ask me if you’re not sure about what you found. You will also find a list of suggested sites on our course website. Course Description This course provides you with the opportunity to discover and develop various techniques of critical thinking. You will be introduced to some of the basic elements of both informal and formal logic. Informal logic includes the identification of fallacies in arguments, rhetorical devices, and criteria for weighing the strength of arguments. Formal logic uses variables and operators to represent argument patterns, much in the same way that algebraic variables and operators represent numerical equations. Success in this course will depend upon your ability to learn and apply its principles and techniques. There is an old cliche that your brain is a muscle and must be exercised. This is an apt metaphor for this course. Through practice, you will develop greater ability to recognize and correct vague and ambiguous claims, see through rhetoric, avoid fallacies, and rigorously test arguments for validity. Remember through the course: exercises are crucial for skill development. This especially applies to the argument diagraming (Chapter 2), Rhetoric/Fallacy identification (Chapters 5-7), Formal Translation and Truth Tables (Chapter 10). 1 Online Issues and Requirements Software • Handouts and practice tests are in .pdf format. You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available online for free. Go to: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ • There is also a PowerPoint file for each chapter. In addition to MS PowerPoint, there are freeware powerpoint viewers. Go to the Microsoft Download Center and search for the “powerpoint viewer”: http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/ • Videos will be available on YouTube. You probably already have it, but if you do not, you need the Adobe Flash Player: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/ For help with internet and software issues, contact 405-744-HELP or email [email protected] Proctor No Proctors are needed. All work is completed online. Submission Box (Drop Box) The submission box will be used for submitting exercises. I would prefer that all submissions use MS Word, Word Perfect, or Adobe Acrobat (.doc, .docx, wpd, .pdf). If necessary, a .jpeg/.jpg/.tiff scan is acceptable as well. Quizzes and Tests • Quizzes and tests are taken online. For the most part, they will be true/false and multiple- choice. Email, Phone & Chat Policies Emails will typically be answered within 24 hours. If you need to speak with me, we can arrange a time to do so. 2 Schedule of Readings and Assignments (subject to revision) Recommended Weekly Routine 1. Read the chapter 2. View the PowerPoint and/or videos 3. Complete the textbook exercises listed below 4. Take the online quiz (and extra-credit work if listed) Note: TAKE THE CHAPTER QUIZ ONLY AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE PERTINENT READINGS, POWERPOINTS, AND SET OF TEXTBOOK EXERCISES. (***Chapters/Pagination follow Custom Edition Table of Contents***) PART ONE: ARGUMENT TYPES AND TERMINOLOGY Topic Recommended Textbook Exercises Graded Assignment Due 8/17-9/4 Chapter One (p. 1-10) Some Basics 1-1, 1-5, 1-6, 1-11 demo & cpt 1 quiz 9/4 9/5-9/11 Chapter Two Argument Form 2-1 to 2-5, 2-8 to 2-10, 2-15 to 2-18 cpt 2 quiz 9/11 Diagraming Exercise Ex.Cred.Exercise 9/11 9/12-9/18 Chapter Three Clarity 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-8, 3-9 cpt 3 quiz 9/18 Test #1 chapters 1-3 TEST #1 9/25 PART TWO: RHETORIC AND FALLACIES 9/26-10/2 Chapter Five Rhetoric 5-1, 5-4, 5-11, 5-20 to 5-22 cpt 5 quiz 10/2 10/3-10/9 Chapter Six Fallacies Go to page 188 (100 examples) cpt 6 quiz 10/9 10/10 - 16 Chapter Seven Fallacies Go to page 213 (125 examples) cpt 7 quiz 10/16 Rhet. & Fallacies Exercise Ex.Cred.Exercise #2 10/16 Test #2 chapters 5-7 TEST #2 10/23 PART THREE: FORMAL LOGIC 10/24-11/6 Cpt. Ten (up to p. 298) Translation 10-1, 10-3, 10-4, 10-10 Cpt 10 quiz #1 11/6 Translation Exercise Ex.Cred.Exercise #3 11/6 11/7-11/20 Chapter Ten (305-313) Truth Tables 10-9* 10-11* + more online Cpt 10 quiz #2 11/20 Truth Table Exercise Ex.Cred.Exercise #4 11/30 Test #3 Chapter 10 TEST #3 12/9 * complete exercises 10-9, 10-11 using both the long and short table methods. 3 GRADED ASSIGNMENTS Chapter Quizzes 100 points • The quizzes can be found online using the “Quiz” link towards the top of the screen. • First, there is demo quiz to make sure you become familiar with the Canvas system. • You will then have quizzes for chapters 1,2,3,5,6,7, and 10. • Note that there will be TWO quizzes for Chapter 10. • These quizzes are core comprehension quizzes for the chapter contents. With the exception of the demo quiz and the quiz for chapter one, you will only have one opportunity to take the quiz. However, you will have ample time (thirty minutes) to take it. Each should only take a few minutes. The demo quiz can be taken up to 3 times and the quiz for chapter one you can take up to 2 times. These extra chances are to make sure you get the hang of taking quizzes online. • You may use the textbook or notes while taking the quizzes. The demo quiz is based on this syllabus. • You can take quizzes early, but you must complete the quiz by 11:59pm on the day scheduled (see prior page). • Quizzes will not be available after the due date. Tests 300 points • There are three tests: Chapters 1-3, Chapters 5-7, Chapter 10. • Tests are worth 100 points each. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the practice tests available online through Canvas. The format of the actual tests will closely resemble the practice tests. Tests are to be taken on the date indicated on the previous page. You may choose the time best suited to your schedule. Tests are designed to be completed within one hour. Total: 400 points Grading Scale (for final grades): A=400-360, B=359-320, C=319-280, D=279-240, F=0-239 4 EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS Self-Assessment Exercises 20 points total • There are four extra-credit exercises, which can be found on Canvas in the course CONTENTS section under the header “Graded Course Exercises.” Each of the four exercises is worth 5 points. • See the “Schedule of Readings and Assignments” for their deadlines. • The purpose of these exercises is self-assessment, which in turn can help motivate you to develop your skills prior to the tests. Your grade will be based upon your completion of that assessment rather than how many questions you got right or wrong. • Exercise #1 is related to argument diagraming in chapter 2. Exercise #2 is related to fallacy and rhetoric identification in chapters 5-7. Exercises #3 and #4 are related to formal logic in chapter 10. Many students wait until too late before starting chapter 10 and just don’t give themselves enough time to learn its contents. You should start this chapter as soon as possible and spend as much time as you can with it, especially practicing the long and short table methods. • Do not confuse these exercises with the exercises in the textbook. Textbook exercises are important for your skill development, but textbook exercises do not have to be submitted. • INSTRUCTIONS: (a) view the instructions and questions (b) answer the questions (be sure to use a file type you can upload) (c) THEN, open the answer key and check your answers (d) write up a self-assessment, identifying which questions you got right and wrong, where your strengths and weaknesses are, and what you need to review before the test (see sample below).