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Montgomery College-Rockville Campus
Department of RD, ESL, FL and PL
PL 190-400-30974-Elentary Logic and Semantics
Instructor InformationProf. Chris Collins
Phone-(301) 251-7427
Email:
Website
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/facultywebsite.php?userID=ccollins
Office-MT 517
Office Hours-
Thurs- 12:30-2:00 and Mon and W. 11:00-11:45
Office Hours are available by appointment as well / Classes
PL180-5RA T, TH 8:20-9:35 GHS
PL190-401 M,W,F 10:00-10:50 HU 111
PL190-400 T,TH 11:00-12:15 SW 105
PL203-401 M,W,F 12:00-12:50 TC 215
PL203-403 TH 6:30-9:10 HU 122
Catalog
An introductory study of logic and language, intended to increase the student’s ability to use language with precision and to reason correctly. Topics include the logic of science and the principles of induction and deduction.
Three hours each week. 3 semester hours
General Objectives:
1. define critical thinking
2. utilize critical thinking and writing.
3. employ critical thinking to evaluate informative claims.
4. understand and construct valid arguments.
5. avoid faulty reasoning in written and oral works.
6. use deductive and inductive arguments in writing
7. deduce arguments using symbolic logic
8. employ moral, legal and aesthetic reasoning in academic work.
Required Textbooks:
Critical Thinking, Brooke Noel Moore and Richard Parker. 7th Edition
recommended:
- English grammar with style guide for documented papers (you can get this information from the MLA website http://webster.commnet.edu/mla.htm or at My Mc
**our classroom**
Philosophy is, in part, a social process. Philosophy’s development and continuation depends upon fostering a free and open exchange among individuals. In this spirit, respect for the ideas of others is the Golden Rule. Speaking and reading in public requires fortitude and courage, so when a fellow student displays those qualities by sharing his/her work with us, our respect and admiration must be given to them at all times. At times, the process of philosophy is an expression of our individual identities and personal beliefs, these qualities should never be taken lightly. The bottom line, always remember and employ the Golden Rule.
**expectations and grades**
All students are expected to complete all of the assignments required for this course. Failure to complete all assignments can be considered wasted opportunities. These assignments are merely opportunities for you to showcase your individual abilities as a scholar and lover of the of wisdom. Make certain you take advantage of all of these opportunities! 30% of your course grade will be dependent upon these assignments. Tests comprise 50% of your course grade.
Class attendance and participation are an integral part of the philosophy classroom. Attendance is required and needed of all students. . A maximum of three course hours can be missed during the course of a semester. Anyone who misses more then three course hours will be adversely affecting his/her grade. If you can not attend all class sessions be certain to make arrangements beforehand with the professor. Participation is necessary for successfully completing this course. If an individual chooses not to participate he/she will be wasting all of the resources that surround that person i.e. peers and instructor. Attendance and Participation comprise 20% of your class grade.
Grade Break Down
Attendance and Participation 20%
Weekly Assignments 30%
Tests and Quizzes 50%
**Grading of Written Work**
An "A" paper is substantial, well developed and effectively organized and presented. It demonstrates original or thoughtful engagement with content and sensitivity to diction, tone and style. Its sentences are clear, precise, and well-structured. The paper is appropriately and formatted and virtually error-free.
A "B" paper contains a number of the strengths of an A paper, but it typically lacks the thoughtfulness, originality, and sensitivity of the superior paper. It is also virtually error-free.
A "C" paper fulfills the assignment and is adequately organized. The writer communicates ideas and develops thesis, although supporting evidence may be minimal and organization rather mechanical. The writing is not marred by habitual or serious grammatical errors. Thought and expression are competent.
A "D" paper typically is marked by failure to focus on a thesis, poor organization, lack of development, or recurrent mechanical errors.
A "F" paper may ignore the terms of the assignment, or it may be devoid of thesis, support, or organizing principle. Typically it contains numerous mechanical errors that seriously interfere with comprehension; it may also be marred by serious errors in documentation.
**Submission of Work**
All assignment are due on the dates prescribed. Failure to turn in work on time will result in one letter grade drop for every day late. Special accommodations can be made with me if you are unable to complete the work on time.
Website
I strongly encourage you to use my website. You will find helpful links and other important course information such as sample papers, guidelines for writing paper and assignments. Also, MyMc is an excellent resource for students. There are class message boards and chatrooms waiting to be used.
**Disabilities**
If you have a disability which will require accommodations, please see me after class or during my office hour. I am reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangements are necessary, be it special seating, testing or other accommodations. If you have not already contacted the Disability Support Services office, please do so to obtain a letter authorizing you accommodations.
**Academic Integrity**
As students participating in higher level learning, plagiarism, cheating and any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this learning environment. When an individual participates in any type of academic dishonesty she/he is simply expressing his/her lack of belief in her/his own abilities to excel in the pursuit of knowledge. In this course, plagiarism is the most severe offense. If you are not certain what qualifies as plagiarism, please discuss your questions with me, so that any problems can be avoided. If you have any further questions regarding academic dishonesty please refer to the Student Handbook.
**Inclement Weather**
Occasionally it becomes necessary to delay the opening of school, send students home early, or close the College entirely because of bad weather. Most area radio stations broadcast information about school closings or delayed openings beginning around 6 am. If the College plans to close early, the radio stations will broadcast that message. Please listen to the radio rather than call the College. The following stations have agreed to broadcast complete information about MC closings or delayed openings because of inclement weather: WTOP 1500 AM, WMAL 630AM, DC 101 FM, WASH 97.1 FM, WFMD 930 AM, WGAY 99.5 FM, WINX 1600 AM, WHUR 96.3 FM, and WRC 980 AM.
**Calendar-subject to adjustment-more specifics to be presented day-by-day in class.
**Assignments-below are the tentative dates for turning in the assignments that are required for PL 190. Specifics regarding each assignment will be discussed in detail, so do not feel overwhelmed when examining this calendar.
Week / IN CLASS / PREPARATION-to be done prior to class / DUE DATESday one / Class Introduction-discuss basic requirements.
week two
9/5 / Critical Thinking and Writing. / Read pgs. 1-20
Complete Exercises:
1-1 #’s 1-5
1-6 #’s 1-10
1-8 #’s 1 and 6
week three
9/12 / Informative Claims / Read pgs. 40-71
Complete Exercises:
2-4 #’s 1-5
2-6 #’s 1-5
2-12 #’s 5-10
week four
9/19 / Quiz
The Art of Persuasion / Study for Quiz
Read pgs. 79-101
Complete Exercises:
3-6 #’s 1 - 5
3-11
Writing Exercises
pg. 115 #1
week five
9/26 / Rhetorical Devices- Pseudoreasoning and other good stuff / Read pgs. 118-141
Complete Exercises:
4-1 #'s 1-5
4-16
4-18
week six
10/3 / More fun with Pseudoreasoning. / Read pgs. 134-164
Complete Exercises:
5-2
5-4
Writing Exercises
pg. 174 # 2
week seven
10/10 / Review for Mid-Term Examination / Read pgs. 175-188
assignment TBA
WEEK / IN CLASS / Preparation-to be done prior to class / DUE DATES
week eight
10/17 / Mid-Term
Examination / Study for Mid-Term / Mid-Term Examination
week eight
10/24 / Explanations and Arguments / Read pgs. 217-244
Writing Exercises
pg. 258 #1
week nine
10/31 / The Fundamentals of all arguments
Deduction / Read pgs. 259-283
Response Essay(This assignment will be discussed in class)
week ten
11/7 / Deductive Arguments and Categorical Logic / Read pgs. 293-321
Complete Exercises:
9-8
9-10
week eleven
11/14 / Deduction and Truth Functional Logic / Read pgs. 333-355
Complete Exercises:
Logic problems Handout 1
week twelve
11/21 / Symbolic Logic.
Quiz / Study for Quiz
Complete Logic exercise handout / Quiz
week thirteen
11/28 / More Symbolic Logic. Introduction to Induction and Aesthetic and Ethical reasoning / Read pgs. 356-371
Complete Exercises:
10-8
10-9
10-10
Symbolic Logic Review Handout
week fourteen
12/5 / Bring Everything Together / Read 381-402, 467-495
Complete Exercises:
12-6
12-8
13-10
week fifteen 12/12 / Final Examination / Study for the final / Final Examination