THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER
Course Syllabus
Introduction to Logic – PHIL 2303-001
Instructor: Gregory L. Bock, Ph.D.
Office: BUS 245
E-Mail: gbock@uttyler.edu
Phone: 903.566.7456
Secretary Phone: 903.566.7373
Office Hours: M 12:30-3:30; W 8:00-10:00; or by appointment
Required Textbook:
Logic, 2nd Edition, Stan Baronett, Oxford University Press ISBN: 978-0-19-984631-3
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to informal, formal, and inductive logic including informal fallacies,
propositional logic, predicate logic, and moral arguments
Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to…
1. describe different kinds of arguments, definitions, and diagrams
2. identify informal fallacies
3. analyze categorical propositions
4. use Venn diagrams to determine the validity of categorical syllogisms
5. use truth tables to determine validity and consistency
6. use implication and replacement rules to complete proofs
7. translate statements into symbolic form
8. analyze the strength of an analogical argument
9. apply moral theories to issues
10. analyze statistical reasoning
Grading:
Homework assignments 11 @ 10 points each
Exams 5 @ 100 points each
Participation:
TOTAL:
100 points (one dropped)
400 points (lowest dropped)
100 points
500 points
A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=less than 60%
Assignments:
Homework: Logic requires regular practice, so a short homework assignment will be assigned at
the end of every class and will serve as the basis for group work and discussion during the next
class period. I will not grade every homework assignment, but I will randomly collect and grade
eleven of them. Assignments can be turned in late but will be penalized half a letter grade per
day, starting when class ends unless it comes with a valid excuse (e.g. a doctor’s note). Also, I
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will accept one late assignment without penalty with the late homework pass attached (see
below). In addition, I drop the lowest homework assignment grade.
Exams: Each exam will only cover the material since the previous exam except in cases where the
material builds upon prior knowledge. Exams might include a variety of question types including
T/F, multiple choice, short-answer, or problem-solving questions. I drop the lowest exam grade.
Participation (and Attendance): This class is designed to be very interactive, so it depends
heavily on student participation. Students are expected to complete assignments before class time
and come prepared to work with others in group work. Students will also be asked to solve
problems on the board during class. Students who come to class unprepared or do not actively
participate will be penalized. Attendance is also built into this grade. Students may miss up to
three classes without an excuse (this may, however, impact the homework grade), but additional
absences will be penalized five points each in the participation column. Since most group work
will occur at the beginning of class, it is imperative to arrive on time. Students who make a
regular habit of coming late will lose ten points in the participation column.
PARTICIPATION RUBRIC
90100%

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Comes to class prepared
Takes an active role in group work
Regularly volunteers to work problems on the board
Regularly asks questions in class
Does not arrive late or have excessive absences
80-89%

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


Comes to class prepared
Takes a somewhat active role in group work
Sometimes volunteers to work problems on the board
Sometimes asks questions in class
Usually does not arrive late or miss class
70-79%

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


Comes to class prepared
Often remains silent during group work
Rarely volunteers to work problems on the board
Rarely asks questions in class
May arrive late or have excessive absences


May not come to class prepared
In group work, this student may be so silent that others forget she is
there
May not volunteer to work problems on the board
May not ask questions in class
May arrive late or have excessive absences
Student may be disruptive
Student may engage in distracting behavior like surfing the Internet or
texting
Student may talk too much (to her neighbor about things unrelated to
1-69%






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the class)
0%

Rarely came to class
Important Information:
Disability Statement: If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for which you
request an accommodation, please contact Ida MacDonald in the Disability Support Services
office so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, student
requesting accommodation must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability
Support Services counselor. For more information, call or visit the Student Services Center
located in the University Center, Room 282. The telephone number is 903-566-7079.
Social Security Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the
confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer
programming so that all students have an identification number.
Note regarding Student Absence due to Religious Observance: Students who anticipate being
absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor by the
second class meeting of such absences.
Course Ground Rules:
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Students are allowed
three unexcused absences. Unexcused absences after this are penalized 5 points per day against
the participation grade.
Late work: Late papers are penalized half a letter grade a day. The late assignment pass may be
used once (see below)
Communication with the instructor: The best way to communicate with the instructor outside
of class is through e-mail (UT Tyler e-mail) or during office hours. Students can expect replies
within 48 hours excluding weekends and holidays.
Class conduct: This is an interactive classroom environment. Students who sleep, text, or just
chat with their neighbors about other things will be penalized. Students who sit quietly,
contributing nothing to discussions, will also be penalized. Some of the subject matter of this
class can make people hot under the collar. This said, all comments must be respectful to others
who hold different views or come from different backgrounds. This does not preclude verbal
disagreement; it only requires learning the skills of civil disagreement. Disrespect can manifest in
what is said, in the tone of voice, and in the way someone rolls her eyes. Insults, snide remarks,
name-calling, talking over one another, and demeaning tones will not be tolerated. If there is any
confusion about what counts as disrespectful, consult the instructor or the Golden Rule. Violators
of these class conduct rules may be given warnings or ejected from the class.
Extra credit: Extra credit may be offered by the instructor from time to time, but extra credit is
not given on demand or by request. And students do not have a right to it, for example, the
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instructor is not obligated to provide extra credit opportunities that work with the student’s
schedule.
Final grades: Grades are final once the final grade percentage has been posted in Blackboard at
the end of the semester. No changes will be made unless the instructor has made a mistake.
Grades are not bumped up unless the student is within .5% of the next letter grade. For example,
an 89.5% is an A. An 89.4% is a B. No extra credit will be offered after grades have been posted
in Blackboard. A request for an “incomplete” may be approved only if (1) the request is made
before final grades are issued, (2) the student has a valid reason, e.g. a verifiable medical
condition, and (3) the student has a C or higher at the time the request for an “incomplete” is
made. The terms of an “incomplete” will be set by the instructor.
Expectations of the student:
 Students will check e-mail regularly.
 Students will e-mail the instructor with questions.
 Students will not wait until the end of the semester to discuss lower than expected grades
on assignments; instead, the student will take the initiative early in the semester to meet
with the instructor to discuss ways of improving.
 Students will meet with the instructor during office hours or by appointment if extra help
is needed on assignments.
 Students will complete assignments on time.
 Students will participate in class discussions in a civil and respectful way.
 Students will not cheat on tests or homework. When working in groups on homework,
students will work the problems themselves first, then ask for help from others.
 Students will not plagiarize. Plagiarism is cheating, taking credit for material that is not
your own whether it is copied from a classmate, textbook, or online source. Plagiarism is
still plagiarism even if it is unintentional. It will result in an F on the assignment and a
possible F in the course. It could also result in suspension from the university. So,
students should be sure to use proper citation style and do their own work. If students are
not sure whether something constitutes plagiarism, they should contact the instructor to
ask about it before submitting the assignment.
 Students will declare that they have read and understood this syllabus by including a
statement to this effect in a self-introduction post that will be posted to the discussion
board “Meet Your Classmates” during the first week of class.
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No Questions Asked Late Homework Pass
This pass (and only this pass) must be stapled to the late assignment upon submission.
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Assignment: ________________________________ Date: _____________________
Obviously, I am turning this assignment in late because I was not prepared and/or life got in the way. I
could give you one of many excuses, but I will simply save us both the time, take responsibility for my
actions, and hand you my late assignment with this note attached. This pass allows me to turn in one
assignment late without penalty. After this, I understand that additional late assignments will be subject to
the late penalty stated in the syllabus.
Signature: ______________________________________________________
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