University of Lethbridge LOGI 1000 XOL/YOL/ZOL. Critical Thinking

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1 1 University of Lethbridge LOGI 1000 XOL/YOL/ZOL Critical Thinking Krzysztof Swiatek U of L Calendar description: Logic is the general examination of arguments and the distinction between good arguments and merely good-looking arguments. Techniques, both formal and informal, are presented for evaluation of reasoning in all walks of life - in ordinary conversation, in political debates and in science. The study of logic fosters the ability to think critically and carefully in all fields of endeavour. LOGI 1000 XOL/YOL/ZOL is an introductory course in selected areas of informal and formal logic. Among the topics it covers are: recognizing and diagramming arguments, categorical syllogisms, informal fallacies and elementary symbolic logic. The course is taught online; students are expected to study the assigned lecture topics, submit a variety of online assignments and take an online final exam. In lieu of face-to-face contact in classes, instructional support is provided regularly through open forums and assignment feedback. TEXT: Patrick J. Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic. Belmont, CA, Wadsworth 2012, 11th ed. Aplia online logic exercises (purchase an access code with the book) COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. To teach students how to reconstruct the argument and make clear its inferential connections. 2. To introduce students to the distinction between inductive and deductive arguments, and give them the ability to assess properly and prove validity/invalidity, soundness/unsoundness of deductive arguments, and evaluate inductive arguments for strength and cogency. 3. To enable students to identify syllogistic arguments and determine their validity. 4. To teach students how to examine arguments for informal fallacies of arguments. 5. To teach students how to translate English sentences into propositional logic. 6. To introduce students to the truth table method and how to use it to check the truth- value of a sentence and validity of an argument. 7. To introduce students to the natural deduction method in propositional logic.

2 2 GRADE EVALUATION: Aplia Website Quizzes 30% Moodle Review Problem Sets 40% of which 4 Quizzes total: 24% 2 Assignments total: 16% Final Exam 30% EXAM DATES: Moodle Review Problem Sets due dates: January 26, February 9, February 23, March 23, April 6, December 15 Aplia Website Quizzes: approximately a batch of two to three quizzes per week, usually due each Sunday. Final Exam: Date TBA FORMAT OF ASSIGNMENTS: Final Exam: The final exam will include problem solving and multiple-choice questions. It will be written in a computer lab without the aid of books, notes, xeroxes, etc. The exam will test material from the textbook, aplia website contents, moodle postings and online forums. The final exam is cumulative. Aplia Website Quizzes: Weekly homework quizzes are found on the Aplia website. These assignments will have a form of multiple choice quizzes and collectively count for 30% of your grade. The Aplia site requires a separate registration process, the details of which will be provided to registered students before the beginning of the term. Student benefits: By completing regular work in association with the textbook, online course materials and participation in online forums, you will be better prepared for the Moodle Review Problem Sets and Final Exam in the course. Cramming is not an effective method of learning. Think of the regular assignments on Aplia as a weekly workout. Practicing and applying what you are learning from Aplia will help you in better understanding the course content and prepare you for Moodle Review Assignments and Quizzes. Aplia quiz assigments: Most Aplia quizzes are graded. You will have three attempts at each question, and you will receive feedback about your answer and an explanation of the question. You also have the option to save your work and come back later to finish the question and check your answer; if you choose this option and do not return, the work you had completed will be graded at the due date. After the due date passes, you will be unable to change your answers or submit any new work. The software does not care

3 3 whether you have an excuse or not. These assignments are posted weeks in advance. Complete them early to avoid any emergencies preventing you from finishing them before the due date. Three lowest aplia quiz marks will be dropped. This may include missing quizzes (which otherwise will be given a mark of 0). Disclaimer: I am not financially affiliated with Aplia and receive no monetary benefit from requiring this material. Moodle Review Problem Sets: Moodle Review Problem Sets will be posted on the course moodle website. They will relate to a chapter of the textbook currently scheduled in the Weekly Study Plan and will be due within a week of its completion. Students can take them at their own time but within a deadline of one week s time of the completion of the chapter they cover. Problems Sets 1, 2, 4 and 5 are multiple choice Quizzes which need to be done online within a limited time allotted for your answers. Problems Sets 3 and 6 are written Assignments to be submitted to an electronic dropbox on the moodle website; other than the deadline for the assignment submission there will be no time constraints on how long you take to complete them. FORUMS: Online forums will be set up for all students to enable student interaction and contact with the instructor. While everyone is free to brainstorm their logic ideas and share experiences with the studying process, no collaboration on aplia quizzes or moodle review problem sets is allowed. Any attempt to use forums for such purposes will be considered an act of cheating and dealt with accordingly. All forums communication will be administered by the instructor who will answer students questions every Tuesday 6-7 pm and Thursday am. GRADING SYSTEM: GRADE PERCENTAGE SCORE GRADE POINTS INTREPRETATION A A Excellent A B B Good B C C Satisfactory C D D Poor F Failing I - - Incomplete For other letter designations see "Grading System" in your U of L Calendar.

4 4 Weekly Study Plan Dates Assignments Lecture Topics January 8-18: Chapter 1: Basic Concepts January 19: Aplia quizzes are due January 26: Moodle Review Problem Set 1 (quiz) is due January 20 30: Chapter 3: Informal Fallacies February 2: Aplia quizzes are due February 9: Moodle Review Problem Set 2 (quiz) is due January 31 February 15: Chapter 4: Categorical Propositions February 16: Aplia quizzes are due February 23: Moodle Review Problem Set 3 (quiz) is due February 18 22: Reading Week Break February 24 - March 12: Chapter 5: Categorical Syllogisms March 16: Aplia quizzes are due March 23: Moodle Review Problem Set 4 (assignment) is due March 13 25: Chapter 6: Propositional Logic March 30: Aplia quizzes are due April 6: Moodle Review Problem Set 5 (quiz) is due March 26 April 12: Chapter 7: Natural Deduction in Propositional Logic April 13: Applia quizzes are due April 15: Moddle Review Problem Set (assignment) is due

5 5 Note: 1. The choice and distribution of topics as well as assignment and quizzes dates may be subject to change. Any diversions from this schedule will be announced online as the course progresses. 2. Some of the assigned sections may be not covered and occasionally there may be introduced material not contained in the textbook. 3. Proficiency in logic requires practice and consistent habit of everyday work. Students are strongly advised to complete all exercises in the textbook and practice exercises on the aplia website. 4. Multiple-choice quizzes will relate to material currently or recently discussed in class. No extensions will be given on online quizzes. Three lowest online quizzes marks will be dropped. This may include missing quizzes (which otherwise will be given a mark of 0). 5. Students will submit documents that are their own work. Please refer to the following University of Lethbridge policy pertaining to student conduct. Plagiarism: No student shall represent the words, ideas, images, or data of another person as his or her own. This regulation will affect any academic assignment or other component of any course or program of study, whether the plagiarized material constitutes a part or the entirety of the work submitted. The University of Lethbridge subscribes to Turnitin.com, an online plagiarism prevention tool. Turnitin promotes originality in student work and if plagiarism is suspected, your paper will be reviewed using this tool.