Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: Humanities and Fine Arts
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: PHIL 111
COURSE TITLE: Logic
DATE PREPARED: July 31, 1993
DATE REVISED: August 24, 1999
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11 380101 02
IAI NO. (if available): H4 906
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: August 19, 1993
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
An introduction to the forms of inductive and deductive reasoning, including modern
symbolic logic.
TEXTBOOKS:
Merilee H. Salmon. Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking. 2nd ed. New York:
Harcourt, 1989.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
PHIL 111 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required
for the A.A. or A.S. degree. It satisfies the Humanities component of this
requirement. PHIL 111 should transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities as
the equivalent of the General Education Core Curriculum course H4 906, described in
the Illinois Articulation Initiative. However, students should consult an academic
advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web
page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
After completing this course, you should be able to
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Distinguish between universal and statistical generalizations.
Explain the differences among inductive arguments based on samples, arguments
from analogy, statistical syllogisms, and arguments that attempt to establish causal
connections and prepare valid examples of each.
Explain the difference between truth and validity in deductive reasoning and
recognize valid forms of deductive argument.
Explain the differences between conditional, disjunctive, categorical and other types
of deductive arguments and prepare valid examples of each.
Analyze and evaluate various inductive and deductive arguments using the principles
learned in this course.
Utilize graphic representations such as Oiler's circles, Venn diagrams, truth tables,
etc. to illustrate valid arguments.
Explain the Aristotelian Square of Opposition and use this representation of the
relationships between categorical sentences to perform various forms of conversion.
Identify and explain common logical fallacies and recognize examples of these
fallacies in arguments encountered in everyday life.
Explain the common characteristics of good definitions, distinguish among different
types of definition, and create definitions that avoid vagueness and ambiguity.
Use variations of Gentzen's proof method for determining the validity of truthfunctional logical arguments with five or more distinct letters.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1. Introduction: Recognizing, Extending, and Reconstructing Arguments
2. Inductive Arguments, Deductive Arguments, and Fallacies
3. A Closer Look at Inductive Arguments
4. Causal Arguments
5. Probabilities and Inductive Logic
6. Deductive Reasoning: Conditional Arguments
7. Confirmation of Hypotheses
8. Arguments in Which Validity Depends on Connections among Sentences
9. Categorical Syllogisms
10. Arguments in Which Validity Depends on Relations
11. Paying Special Attention to the Language of Argument: Definitions
12. Proof Method for Truth-Functional Logic
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Your final grade will be a compilation of scores on in- and out-of-class exercises (12),
quizzes (4), and a final exam. The twelve exercises as a group will comprise one-third of
your grade; the four quizzes as a group, one-third; and the final exam, one-third. Students
may also do an enrichment exercise (a short paper which explains the contribution of a
selected philosopher to the development of logic) for extra credit.
Final grades will be determined according to the following scale:
92 - 100% = A
83 - 91% = B
74 - 82% = C
65 - 73% = D
Below 65% = F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Reading assignments will be made from the text and from supplemental handouts. Written
exercises and exams are required.