Phil 130: Logic
Cuyamaca College
Spring 2013
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Courtney Hammond
E-mail: courtney.hammond@gcccd.edu
Office Phone: 619-259-0592
Office: F504
Office hours: Tuesday/Thursday 8:30-9:30am, 12:15-2:15pm
I will be in my office during these hours, but it is always best to let me know you
are coming ahead of time. If you can’t make it to my office hours during these
times, I am also available by appointment. Please email me to set up a time.
Course Description:
Logic is the study of correct thinking. In this course, we’ll study both formal and
informal logic, focusing mostly on the former. We will begin by learning about
argument forms and fallacies, and proceed on to propositional logic and natural
deduction.
Required Text:
Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic. 11th edition. Wadsworth
Publishing Co., 2011, with Aplia access code. ISBN: 9781133163831 The Aplia code
will allow you to access the online program we will be using to take and submit
all assignments. We will not be using Blackboard in this class. Please make sure
to buy the textbook with the Aplia access code, or else you will not be able to
participate in this course. The total cost for the hard copy and access code is
$154.99. The e-book and access code is $97.00 and can be purchased at
www.cengagebrain.com.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
1) Identify and differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning.
2) Identify and describe the correct forms of reasoning for both inductive and
deductive arguments.
3) Identify and explain fallacious reasoning in both inductive and deductive
arguments.
4) Formalize ordinary language propositions and arguments into symbolic
terms.
5) Detect fallacies and evaluate the forms of argument used in newspaper
articles, advertisements, scientific articles, etc. as regards their validity.
6) Use the rules of deduction to prove the invalidity of various arguments.
Course Requirements
6 Chapter Exams (10% each), Homework and Participation (50%). I will drop
your lowest test score at the end of the semester.
Grading Policy
A 93-100%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 84-86%
B- 80-83%
C+ 77-79%
C 70-76%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
**In general, late homework and make up exams will not be permitted. However,
with proper documentation of illness or other extenuating circumstances, I will
consider late assignments. Things like forgetfulness, stress at work and/or
home, etc., do NOT count as extenuating—they count as life. Please don’t ask for
exceptions in these cases. Most likely I will not respond since it only serves to
make me feel guilty when I have to say no.
Date
1/29
1/31
2/05
2/07
2/12
2/14
2/19
2/21
2/26
2/28
3/05
3/07
3/12
3/14
3/19
3/21
3/26
3/28
4/02
4/04
4/09
4/11
4/16
4/18
4/23
4/25
4/30
5/02
5/07
Topics To Be Covered
Introduction to Course
Chapter 1: Basic Concepts
1.1 and 1.2
1.3 Deduction and Induction
1.4 Validity, Truth, Soundness, Strength, Cogency
1.5 Proving Invalidity
Chapter 1 Practice Test
Chapter 3: Fallacies
3.1 and 3.2
3.3 Fallacies of Weak Induction
3.4 Fallacies of Presumption, Ambiguity, and Grammatical Analogy
3.5 Fallacies in Ordinary Language
Chapter 3 Practice Test
Chapter 4: Categorical Propositions
4.1 and 4.2 Quality, Quantity and Distribution
4.3 Venn Diagrams and the Modern Square of Opposition
4.4 Conversion, Obversion, and Contraposition
4.5 Traditional Square of Opposition
4.6 Venn Diagrams and the Traditional Square
4.7 Translating Ordinary Language
Spring Break
Spring Break
Chapter 4 Review
Chapter 4 Practice Test
Chapter 5: Categorical Syllogisms
5.1 and 5.2
5.3 Rules and Fallacies
“
5.4 Reducing the Number of Terms
5.5 Ordinary Language
Chapter 5 Practice Test
Chapter 6: Propositional Logic
6.1
6.2 Truth Functions
6.3 Truth Tables for Propositions
5/09
5/14
5/16
6.4 Truth Tables for Arguments
6.5 Indirect Truth Tables
6.6 Argument Forms and Fallacies
Chapter 6 Practice Test
Chapter 7 Natural Deduction
7.1
5/21
7.2 Rules of Implication
5/23
7.3 Rules of Replacement I
7.4 Rules of Replacement II
Extra Help:
Any student needing extra assistance is urged to utilize the tutoring services
available at Cuyamaca College. Therefore, to support your efforts to succeed in
this class, I refer you to the Supervised Tutoring services that are available.
Please refer to the schedule listing in the fall class schedule. All Supervised
Tutoring sections are FREE to you. You need only enroll to receive services—no
units or grades are given.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if necessary.
This course adheres to the academic policies outlined in the 2011-2012 Cuyamaca
College catalog.