PHIL 115A                              Autumn 2009                     MTWThF 11:30-12:20    LOW 118         

 

Instructor Gabriela Remow

Email angelic1@u.washington.edu

Office SAV M283, 543-6895

Office Hours Wed & Thu 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Course Web site http://staff.washington.edu/angelic1/115/

 

Text A CONCISE INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC (10th Edition), Patrick J. Hurley, 2008

            Additional materials will also be assigned throughout the course.

 

Course Description Critical reasoning plays an important part in any rational person’s life. When you argue for a position at work, at home, at school, or in the political arena, you need to provide good reason that others should believe you are right. Moreover, you will often need to be able to determine whether someone else’s arguments are good or bad. A primary value of critical reasoning is thus in sorting out the good arguments from the bad. Philosophy 115 emphasizes this aspect of critical reasoning.

 

Philosophy 115 introduces the nature and structure of argument patterns. Successful students will learn the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning, and how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each. Topics include validity and soundness, strength and cogency, definitions, informal fallacies, reasoning with categorical propositions, arguments from analogy, Mill’s Methods, basic probability calculations, statistical reasoning, and hypothetical reasoning. Although there are no official prerequisites for Philosophy 115, it is expected that students can read, write, and handle basic mathematical calculations with fractions.

 

Requirements In-class quizzes, homework, and exams.  Regular attendance is highly recommended.  Homework assignments will include writing in addition to problem solving.  Homework is due in class on the due date assigned.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Homework may be emailed by class time if (and only if) you are unable to attend class on the day it is due.

 

Academic Misconduct Cheating in any form will not be tolerated, and any student found guilty of it will receive a score of zero for that assignment and may be subject to further disciplinary action.  In addition to plagiarism, cheating includes copying any work from other students, or allowing them to copy from you.

 

Disability Resources for Students If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact DRS (see http://www.washington.edu/students/drs/).

 

Grading            Daily In-Class Work     30%                 Grade Scale (See below, page 3)

                        Homework                   35%

                        Exams                          35%

Note: Notification of grades via email is in violation of FERPA. There is no guarantee of confidentiality on the Internet. The institution would be held responsible if an unauthorized third party gained access, in any manner, to a student's education record through any electronic transmission method.

The aim of this course is that you learn several concepts and methods useful for practical analysis of arguments in everyday contexts.  We will cover most sections of the Hurley book, plus other material as assigned.  The final exam will be comprehensive.

 

Suggestions for Best Results

• Attend all sessions of the class, and be on time.  Attendance is crucial for your success as a student. If you have some kind of documented excused absence, it is your responsibility to provide the instructor with the documentation.

• Come prepared - complete your readings and assignments before class.  Pay attention in class, and participate in discussion as appropriate - your input is valuable.

• Have your own textbook and bring it to every class meeting.

• Every hour in class requires 3 hours of work outside of class.

• Take responsibility for your own learning. Ask questions.

 

Additional Expectations

• Please turn off any cell phones or pagers for the duration of the class.

• Be familiar with the UW student code of conduct.

• It is required that you treat everyone in class with respect at all times, especially with regard to disrespectful comments and behaviors. Anyone who fails to exhibit respect (for students or teacher) will be removed from the classroom, as is discussed in the student code of conduct. 

• Please bring up any points for discussion to the whole class, not just those seated next to you. Whenever you have a question or comment, please raise your hand, then speak when recognized.

• All students are entitled to a positive and safe learning environment. You are therefore expected to avoid any disruptive or dangerous behavior that would negatively impact that environment. Discrimination and harassment in any form will not be tolerated.

• Only registered students or persons with permission of the instructor may attend class. You may not bring children, friends, family, or acquaintances to class.

• If you stop coming to class, it is entirely your responsibility to complete the paperwork to withdraw from the course. Any student who remains registered for the course and fails to meet the minimum requirements will receive a failing grade, impacting GPA.

 

Weeks

Topics

Sections

Pages

HW

 

 

 

 

Online “Handouts”

1-4

Sep 30-Oct 23

Basic Concepts

 

Induction

1.1-1.5

 

Ch. 9-14

1-60, 72-73

 

468-594

HW1 Due Fri, Oct 9

HW2 Due Fri., Oct 16

HW3 Due Thu, Oct 22

4

1st Exam

Fri., Oct 23

Exam 1 Prep

 

 

 

5-8

Oct 26-Nov 20

 

Categorical Propositions & Syllogisms

4.1-4.7

 

5.1-5.6

 

189-243

 

244-281

 

HW4 Due Fri., Oct 30

HW5 Due Fri., Nov 6

HW6 Due Fri., Nov 13

HW7 Due Thu, Nov 19

8

2nd Exam

Fri., Nov 20

Exam 2 Prep

 

 

 

9-11

Nov 23-Dec 11

 

Definitions, Informal Fallacies

2.1-2.5

3.1-3.5

74-112

113-188

HW8 Due Fri., Dec 4

HW9 Due Fri, Dec 11

 

Holidays: Wed, Nov 11; Thu-Fri, Nov 26-7

Final Exam: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 230-420 pm, LOW 118

 

Caveat: The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of unusual extenuating circumstance.  Students will be given advance written notice of such changes.

 

Grade Scale

Percentage Earned 

Grade-Point Equivalent

Letter-Grade Equivalent

100-98

4.0

A+

97-96

3.9

A

95-94

3.8

A

93-92

3.7

A-

91

3.6

A-

90-89

3.5

B+

88-87

3.4

B / B+

86

3.3

B

85

3.2

B

84

3.1

B

83

3.0

B / B-

82

2.9

B-

81

2.8

B-

80

2.7

C / C+

79

2.6

C

78

2.5

C

77

2.4

C

76

2.3

C

75

2.2

C 

74

2.1

C-

73

2.0

C-

72

1.9

C- / D+

71

1.8

et cetera

70

1.7

 

69

1.6

 

68

1.5

 

67

1.4

 

66

1.3

 

65

1.2

 

64

1.1

 

63

1.0

 

62

0.9

 

61

0.8

 

60

0.7

 

59 and x < 59

0.0