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PHIL 1200—Principles of Reasoning

Three Semester Hours

JB 10/12

Prerequisites

University Requisite: Math Placement Level 1 or higher or (MATH D004 or MATH D005)

Course Overview

Basic concepts of logic and techniques for judging validity of arguments introduced. System for symbolizing arguments and deriving conclusions from premises employed. Some of following topics also covered: informal fallacies in reasoning, syllogistic or Aristotelian logic; Venn diagrams, truth tables. Most sections are traditional lecture/test format, some taught in computer-assisted format, others use self-paced approach.

Methods of Course Instruction

All material for this course is print-based. Instructor and students communicate and exchange materials through postal mail. You may submit your assignments as e-mail attachments, but your graded assignments will be returned to you by postal mail.

Textbooks and Supplies

Hurley, Patrick. A Concise Introduction to Logic. Wadsworth Publishing Co. Cengage Learning, 2012. [ISBN: 9781285196541] 12th edition

Number of Lessons

The course has six lessons, including a final examination. These lessons include:

• Lesson 1
  • Unit 1—Recognizing Arguments
  • Unit 2—Deduction, Induction, Validity, Soundness
  • Unit 3— Informal Fallacies    
• Lesson 2
  • Unit 4—Categorical Proposition
  • Unit 5—Recognizing Syllogisms
  • Unit 6—Reducing the Number of Terms in a Syllogistic Argument
  • Unit 7— Venn Diagrams and Rules of Validity    
• Lesson 3
  • Unit 8—Symbolizing Propositional Statements
  • Unit 9—Truth Tables
  • Unit 10—Rules of Implication for Propositional Logic     
• Lesson 4
  • Unit 11—Rules Replacement for Propositional Logic
  • Unit 11a—Further Work with the Deduction System     
• Lesson 5
  • Unit 12—Conditional Proof in Propositional Logic
  • Unit 13—Indirect Proof in Propositional Logic; Proving Logical Truths     
• Lesson 6: Final Examination 

Please note that some lessons have been divided into multiple units.

Types of Writing Assignments

Every unit leads up to a short test that you are to take on your own and return to me at the five lesson points indicated on the schedule. You must complete the units in the order given. When all 13 units have been completed, you will arrange to take a two-hour final examination, which will cover all the course’s material. It will be similar in style to the unit tests.

Grading Criteria

Your final grade will be determined 50% by your performance on the unit tests and 50% by your performance on the final exam. You must complete all the unit tests before you can apply to take the final examination.