PHR 1005: Logic
Instructor:
Corey McCall
McGraw Hall 210B
x1889
cmccall@elmira.edu
Office Hours Winter 2009:
MWF 9:30-10:30am and by appt.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course serves as an introduction to logic and critical thinking. Logic is a tool that has been devised to
assess arguments in order to make judgments with regard to their soundness and validity, i.e. in order to
assess their truth claims. This course presupposes no prior knowledge of logic, but it is hoped that by the
end of the course, students will be able to recognize informal fallacies and their various uses in public
speech, understand the basics of classical Aristotelian logic as well as the basics of modern symbolic logic.
The focus of the course will be on the practical significance of logic and critical thinking for everyday life.
At the end of the term, the successful student will:
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Know what logic is and understand its usefulness.
Recognize and understand the effects of various informal fallacies employed in public
discourse, rhetoric, and advertising in order to avoid being duped.
Understand the basics of critical thinking and how it applies to writing and thinking clearly
Understand the basics of inductive and deductive arguments
These various objectives will be achieved through in-class collaborative exercises, homework exercises,
three non-cumulative exams, and two short presentations.
Required textbooks:
Brooke Noel Moore and Richard Parker, Critical Thinking, 9th Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2008
Course Requirements:
In-class exercises
25%
*Note: These include reading quizzes as well as in-class writing assignments
Homework Exercises
25%
*Note: you are expected to bring typed responses to selected exercises to class on the days
designated on the syllabus. These responses must be typed in order to receive credit, but you may
omit the exercises with a triangle next to them if you wish (these answers are found in the back of
the book).
Participation
5%
Exams
45%
(3@15% Each)
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Attendance Policy and Class Participation:
You must be present in order to contribute to this class. Any more than five unexcused absences will result
in a grade of F for this course. If you anticipate being absent, please come see me. If you are absent due to
illness, please contact me as soon as possible regarding your absence. The class participation component of
your grade consists of more than merely avoiding excessive absences, however. Active participation in
class discussions and thoughtfully completing in-class writing assignments and reading quizzes (which are
part of your participation grade) is also required.
Ground Rules:
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The basic ground rule is that students should refrain from any behavior that disrupts class
The use of cellphones during class is strictly prohibited
I reserve the right to ban food/drink if it become disruptive
Please refrain from getting up and leaving class. I understand that there are cases in which you
may have to leave, but please keep this to a minimum.
Students with Special Needs:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 provide
students with learning or physical disabilities the right to certain educational modifications or special
assistance. If you will be making any such requests, please speak with the instructor during the first week
of class so that the necessary arrangements can be made promptly. If you have any questions about your
eligibility for such services, please contact Carolyn Draht, Director of Education Services (X1922).
Grading Scale:
94-100: A
90-93: A87-89: B+
84-86: B
80-83: B-
77-79: C+
74-76: C
70-73: C67-69: D+
64-66: D
60-63: D59 and below: F
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3/20: Ex. 10-1, 10-2
Tentative Schedule:
Week One:
1/5: Course Introduction
1/7: Discussion: Ch. 1, pp. 1-21
1/9: Ex. 1-1, 1-6, 1-11
Week Twelve:
3/23: Ex. 10-6, 10-10
3/25: Discussion: Ch. 11, pp. 385-413
3/27: Ex. 11-1, 11-20
Week Two:
1/12: Discussion: Ch. 2, pp. 41-54
1/14: Ex. 2-4, 2-5, 2-8
1/16: Discussion: Ch. 3, pp. 69-92
Week Thirteen:
3/30: Discussion, Ch. 12, pp. 436-449
4/1: Ex. 12-2, 12-3, 12-6
4/3: Review
Week Three
1/19: Ex. 3-6
1/21: Discussion: Ch. 4, pp. 105-135
1/23: Ex. 4-1, 4-2, 4-3
Final Exam: TBA
Week Four:
1/26: Discussion: Ch. 5, pp. 147-169
1/28: Ex. 5-1, 5-11
1/30: Review
Week Five:
2/2: Exam 1 (Chs. 1-4)
2/4: Discussion: Ch. 6, pp. 183-200
2/6: Ex. 6-2, 6-4
Week Six:
2/9: Discussion: Ch. 7, pp. 211-229
2/11: Ex. 7-2, 7-3
2/13: Discussion: Ch. 8, pp. 254-270
Week Seven:
[Midterm Break]
Week Eight:
2/23: Ex. 8-1, 8-4, 8-5, 8-10
2/25: Discussion: Ch. 8, pp. 273-285
2/27: Exam 2 (Chs. 5-7)
Week Nine:
3/2: Ex. 8-11, 8-12
3/4: Discussion: Ch. 9, pp. 297-312
3/6: TBA
Week Ten:
3/9: Review
3/11: Ex. 9-2
3/13: Discussion: Ch. 9, pp. 314-338
Week Eleven:
3/16: Ex. 9-8, 9-13
3/18: Discussion: Ch. 10, pp. 346-370
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