ELEMENTARY LOGIC P150 27114; Fall 2011 MW 9:30-10:45; KV006 Dr. Leigh Viner Phone: 941-2109 E-mail: vviner@ius.

edu Office: KV 200G Office Hours: MW 1:15-2:15 T 11-12

In this course you will receive a basic introduction to the field of Logic. Logic is the science of reason. It provides us with methods for evaluating arguments and creating sound arguments ourselves. By studying and practicing logic we should become less susceptible to being manipulated by bad arguments and we should learn to think and write more clearly. COURSE GOALS: -Learn to identify the parts of arguments (i.e. premises and conclusions). -Learn to recognize deductive and inductive arguments and to evaluate them for validity, soundness, strength, and cogency. -Learn to recognize a number of informal fallacies. -Learn to work with categorical propositions and syllogisms and to test them for validity. -Become familiar with the basics of propositional logic, including translation and truth tables. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Homework will constitute 10% of the final grade and will be graded on a pass/fail basis, credit being given for attempting all of the assigned problems. Attendance will also constitute 10% of the final grade. I will take attendance every period, and deduct one percentage point for every two unexcused absences. Tests: There will be five tests, the average of which will constitute 80% of the final grade. These will all closely resemble the homework assignments. Make up tests will be given at the discretion of the instructor and only if arranged in advance. There will be an optional cumulative final exam at the end of the semester, which can be used to replace your lowest test grade. Grading scale: 99-100: A+ 77-79: C+ 93-98: A 73-76: C 90-92: A70-72: C87-89: B+ 67-69: D+ 83-86: B 60-66: D 80-82: B59-below: F

Required Text: Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic. 11th ed.: Wadsworth. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Disabilities and Special needs: Students who have a disability that requires accommodations in the classroom should contact the Office of Disability Services by phone (941-2243) or email (mtspring@ius.edu) early in the semester so that their learning needs may be appropriately met. The student will need to provide documentation of the disability and if further documentation is needed, recommendations can be provided from the Office of Disability Services. Additional information about the Office of Disability Services may be obtained at: http://www.ius.edu/asc/disabilityservices/ Academic Integrity: If you are caught cheating on a test (e.g. looking at another persons paper, writing notes on your hand or desk, etc.), you will receive a zero on the test and that zero will not be replaceable by the final exam score. Last day to withdraw is Friday, November 4th. -This course fulfills the General Education requirement for Critical Thinking. Tentative Schedule: **Schedule subject to revision M 8/29: Introduction W 10/26: Test 3 W 8/31: 1.1 M 10/31: 5.1 M 9/5: Labor day W 11/2: 5.2 W 9/7: 1.2 M 11/7: 5.3 M 9/12: 1.3 W 11/9: W 9/14: M 11/14: Test 4 M 9/19: Test 1 W 11/16: 6.1 W 9/21: 3.1 & 3.2 M 11/21: 6.2 M 9/26: 3.3 W 11/23: Thanksgiving break W 9/28: 3.4 M 11/28: 6.3 M 10/3: W 11/30: 6.4 W 10/5: M 12/5: M 10/10: Test 2 W 12/7: Test 5 W 10/12: 4.1 & 4.2 M 10/17: 4.4 W 10/19: 4.5 W 12/14: Final exam (9:30M 10/24: 11:20)