PHILOSOPHY 60
LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING
SPRING 2016
Instructor – Dr. Jason Chang
Email – Jason.Chang@evc.edu
Web site – http://jasonmchang.com
Meetings – MW 10:45-12:05pm C102
Units – 3
Transfer status – CSU/UC
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in informal logic and critical reasoning. Students are instructed in the
practical applications of inferential, inductive and deductive reasoning, problem analysis/resolution,
the logic systems entailed by language, word-functions, definition, and common fallacies of
relevance and ambiguity. There is a strong emphasis on written expression and the application of
critical thinking skills in a series of composition assignments.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The aim of this course is to develop the student’s ability to identify, analyze, evaluate, and
present arguments. Specifically, on completion of this course, the student will be able to:
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Determine if a passage contains an argument
Identify informal fallacies within a passage
Evaluate the soundness of a deductive argument
Evaluate the cogency of an inductive argument
Write a composition presenting a well-reasoned argument defending a position on a
controversial issue. The paper will include and overcome counter-arguments.
Course Requirements:
Methods of evaluation for this course include exams (including a final exam) and problem solving
and written exercises. Below are the course requirements in detail.
1. Homework (25%) – the homework policy reflects the importance homework assignments are
to achieving student learning outcomes. Homework will be collected periodically in class at
random. No late assignments will be accepted (unless the absence is excused).
2. Exams (65%) – There will be three in-class exams. The first two exams are worth 20 percent
and the final exam is worth 25 percent.
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3. Participation (10%) – The quality of student participation in class (especially during class
exercises and group work) will be assessed. Participation will be worth 10 percent of the
total grade.
Grading:
The following scale will be used to assess student performance: A = 90-100%; B = 89.9-80%; C =
79.9-70; D = 69.9-60; F = below 60%.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. Students will be allowed three unexcused absences; each unexcused
absence thereafter will result in a 2 percent deduction from your course grade. Please note that
tardiness may constitute an unexcused absence. The instructor reserves the right to drop those who
have missed more than five classes.
Note about excused absences: You may petition to have an absence “excused” by providing all
three of the following: (1) An email before class notifying me of your absence; (2) necessary
documentation (doctor’s note, etc.); (3) a one page paper arguing why your absence should be
excused. The instructor will decide whether to excuse your absence based on the cogency of your
argument.
Am I still responsible for submitting homework if absent?
Yes! On days that you are absent, please email me your homework before 12:05pm just in case I
collect it in class. If your homework is handwritten and cannot be submitted as a Word document,
take a picture of it and send me the image as proof that you have it completed. You can then turn in
the hard copy when you return.
Late Assignment and Make-Up Policy:
In general, late assignments will not be accepted and make-up exams will not be permitted.
(An assignment is considered “late” after the point at which it is collected in class.) Exceptions to
this rule will be made in the event of an excused absence.
Required Texts:
1. Custom Textbook. (Available at Campus Bookstore) [Custom]
Course Schedule:
[Custom] = from custom textbook
[Web site] = available at http://www.jasonmchang.com/
PART I: FUNDAMENTALS OF ARGUMENT
SESSION
TOPICS
Mon 2/1
Course introduction
READINGS
2
HOMEWORK DUE
What is an argument?
Wed 2/3
Arguments vs. non-arguments
pp. 14-25 [Custom]
[Exercises]
Mon 2/8
Deductive vs. inductive arguments
Wed 2/10
Deductive vs. inductive arguments,
Part II
pp. 33-39 [Custom]
pp. 25-29: 1-35 [Custom]
pp. 40-43: 1-30 [Custom]
[Exercise – Argument forms]
Mon 2/15
President’s Day – No class
Wed 2/17
Validity, soundness, strength, cogency
Mon 2/22
Diagramming arguments, Part I
pp. 53-54: 1-15 [Custom]
pp. 54-55: 1-15: [Custom]
pp. 56-57: 1-20 [Custom]
Wed 2/24
Diagramming arguments, Part II –
Tips for Diagramming
Diagramming arguments I
[Web site]
Mon 2/29
Diagramming arguments, Part III
pp. 33-39 [Custom]
[Exercises – Diagramming arguments
III]
Wed 3/2
Review session
Mon 3/7
EXAM 1
pp. 44-53 [Custom]
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Diagramming arguments II
[Web site]
PART II: EVALUATING ARGUMENTS
SESSION
TOPICS
READINGS
Wed 3/9
ARG conditions, Part I
pp. 87-88 [Web
site]
pp. 94-100 [Web
site]
[Exercises – Evaluating arguments]
Mon 3/14
ARG conditions, Part II
HOMEWORK DUE
pp. 100-102: 1-15 [Web site]
[Exercise – pp. 100-102: 1-15 web
site]
Wed 3/16
Film: 12 Angry Men
Mon 3/21
Spring Break – No class
Wed 3/23
Spring Break – No class
Mon 3/28
Language and Rhetoric
Wed 3/30
Fallacies I: Relevance
pp. 122-133
[Custom]
Mon 4/4
Fallacies II: Weak induction
pp. 138-149
[Custom]
Wed 4/6
Film: Outfoxed
Mon 4/11
Fallacies III: Presumption, ambiguity,
analogy
Wed 4/13
Review session
Mon 4/18
EXAM 2
Watch video lecture:
12 Angry Men [Web site]
12 Angry Men paper [Web
site]
pp. 133-135: 1-25 [Custom]
pp. 149-150: 1-15 [Custom]
pp. 151-154: 1-30 [Custom]
pp. 156-170
[Custom]
Outfoxed paper [Web site]
pp. 170-172: 1-25 [Custom]
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PART III: DEDUCTIVE VALIDITY
SESSION
TOPICS
READINGS
Wed 4/20
Intro to propositional logic
pp. 310-319 [Custom]
Mon 4/25
Translating into propositional form
HOMEWORK DUE
Translation and main
connective [Web site]
pp. 319-320: 1-15
[Custom]
Wed 4/27
Truth functions and tables
pp. 323-332 [Custom]
Mon 5/2
Truth functions and tables
335-341 [Custom]
Mon 5/9
Testing validity using truth tables
pp. 344-347 [Custom] pp. 341-342: 1-15
[Custom]
Wed 5/11
Testing validity using truth tables
Mon 5/16
Review session
Wed 5/18
FINAL EXAM
Truth value of complex
propositions [Web site]
pp. 347: 1-8 [Custom]
pp. 348: 1-15 [Custom]
Withdrawal from Class:
Per the 2015-16 college catalog: “Students are responsible for dropping their classes; classes are not
dropped automatically for non-attendance. A student may drop a class by using MyWeb.sjeccd.edu,
or in-person at the Office of Admissions and Records.”
Academic Integrity:
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Academic integrity is necessary for an institution of student learning such as Evergreen Valley
College to function properly. Academic dishonesty – whether in the form of plagiarism, cheating on
exams, etc. – undermines the academic environment that EVC aims to foster and, therefore, will not
be tolerated. Students who engage in academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the particular
assignment or exam and possibly fail the course. It is at the instructor’s discretion whether the case
will be forward to the Dean.
Student Disciplinary Procedures and Grievance Policy:
Details about student disciplinary procedures and grievance policy can be found on p. 167 of the
2015-2016 college catalog.
Special Accommodations:
Students in this course who have a documented disability that may impact work in this class and
require special accommodations should make an appointment with the Disabilities Support Program
(room SC-120) and notify me during the first week of class. The DSP can be reached at (408) 2706447. Both the DSP and I will implement whatever accommodations needed to provide equal
opportunity to learning and other academic outcomes.
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