Philosophy 6 (0449): T Th 11:10 12:35pm. NEA 101 Office Hours: T Th 2:15 3:30pm. Fine Arts 102 klyngj@lahc.edu Instructor: Jonathon Klyng Email: Textbook/Readings: 1. (Required)Patrick J Hurley. A Concise Introduction to Logic. Cengage Learning; 11 edition (January 1, 2011). ISBN: 1111346240 Course Overview: In order to think critically about the world around us, we must understand how our language is associated with our beliefs and judgements. So we have to ask ourselves: What do we mean when we say something is or is not logical. Logic teaches us how to argue effectively and serves as the basis for philosophical discourse. Simply put, we are interested in examining an argument s premise(s) and whether the argument s conclusion logically follows. This course will help you identify, navigate, and construct arguments using both inductive and deductive reasoning. By the end of this course, you will be able to tell the difference between strong, weak, valid, and invalid arguments quite readily. These skills can be applied to arguments throughout all disciplines and occupations (Lawyers, for example, are expected to be masters of inductive reasoning. Computer programmers, on the other hand, work primarily with deductive logic.) Student Learning Outcomes Distinguish between inductive and deductive arguments Recognize the most common informal fallacies Reduce arguments to the skeletal structure Define the 25 core vocabulary words of the course Distinguish between the major uses of language What to expect and how to succeed: Some of the things you can expect to do in this class: Identifying propositions, deductive arguments, logical validity, and argument forms.
Translating English statements into symbolic form Making use of singular and multiple connectives Using connectives to construct truth tables and truth trees Constructing logical proofs Grade Breakdown: Participation and Discussion: 10% (40 points) Take home assignments: 30% (120 points) In Class Exams: 60% (240 points) Total: 400 points Take home assignments: There will be 4 take home assignments. I encourage you to work on these assignments with your fellow classmates! These assignments total 30% of your grade, so it is essential for you to complete them. The first take home assignment will be due on Tuesday, September 13th and will be handed out next class (September 1st). You can always email me if you are having problems and I wouldn't be against working on some of the problems during office hours. The take home assignments are designed to be challenging so don't freak out if some portions are difficult. Due dates: (9/13), (10/6), (11/8), (12/8) Homework: The homework in this course is for practice. Think of it like an assigned reading. We will go over the homework in class when required and the take home assignments/exams will be based off the problems we do for homework. I will provide answer keys if requested. Exams: There will be 4 Exams which will be based upon problems from the homework and the take home assignments. These exams will constitute 60% of your grade worth a total of 240 points. Exam 1: 60pts, Exam 2: 50pts, Exam 3: 50pts, Final Exam: 90pts Extra Credit: There will be several opportunities for extra credit. Some of these will be activities you can participate in outside of the classroom. Stay tuned! A: 88 100%, B: 77 87%, C: 68 76%, D: 50 67%, F: <50%
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating/Plagiarism: I will not tolerate any level of plagiarism or cheating. If you do the work in this course you will have no issues passing on your own accord. If I catch any plagiarised work or cheating of any sort I will immediately document it, present your case to the Dean of Academic Affairs, and you will automatically receive an F on that assignment. This goes for purchased work, copied work, or any case of work which you have not authored yourself. Additional Assistance: Anyone with a learning disability (dyslexia, test taking anxiety, attention deficit, etc.) should see me immediately to discuss any special accommodations which need to be made. You deserve to have your learning needs accommodated! Three Attempts Policy: Familiarize yourself with the new statewide policy regarding how many times you may attempt a class before you are locked out of further attempts in the LACCD. See the Harbor College Schedule of Classes, the Counseling Center, or come see me for more info Academic Freedom: Both students and faculty have a constitutionally protected right of freedom of expression, which deserves to be protected! For a fuller discussion, see me. Paying for Books and Other College expenses: Call the Financial Aid office at (310) 233 4320 or go find them at the college services building. http://www.lahc.edu/studentservices/finaid/index.html When all else fails, please do not hesitate to see me at office hours. I would be more than happy to speak with you about your educational plans/goals and how you might go about achieving them. I want nothing more than to see you all succeed at the highest level.
Schedule (Subject to revision) Week 1: 8/30 & 9/1 Introduction to Philosophy and Logic Argument Basics: 1.1 Week 2: 9/6 & 9/8 Arguments and Non Arguments: 1.2 Deduction and Induction: 1.3 Week 3: 9/13 & 9/15 Syllogisms: 1.4 1.3 1.4 continued Take home assignment #1 Due 9/13 Week 4: 9/20 & 9/22 Exam 1 Informal vs Formal Fallacies 3.1 Week 5: 9/27 & 9/29 Week 6: 10/4 & 10/6 3.2 Fallacies of Relevance 3.3 Fallacies of Weak Induction Bad arguments in the media and in Philosophy Fallacies of presumption, ambiguity, and grammatical analogy 3.4 Take home assignment #2 Due 10/6 Week 7: 10/11 & 10/13 Analogy and Legal and Moral Reasoning 9.1 Causality 9.2 Week 8: 10/18 & 10/20 Exam 2 Intro to symbolic notation
Week 9: 10/25 & 10/27 Symbolic notations and connectives Multiple placed notations 6.1 Week 10: 11/1 & 11/3 Predicate Logic Chapter 6 Truth tables Week 11: 11/8 & 11/10 Take home assignment #3 due 11/8 Predicate Logic translations Chapter 8 Week 12: 11/15 & 11/17 Week 13: 11/22 Week 14 15: 11/29 & 12/1 & 12/6 & 12/8 Week 16: (12/15) Translations continued Exam 3 Introduction to Symbolic rules Symbolic rules and deductions Derivation Practice w/o subproofs Take home assignment#4 due 12/8 Final Exam