PL205: LOGIC
10-10:50 MWF in CRW 302

Instructor: Dr. Jason Swedene
Office location and phone number: LBR 327 (phone: 635-2122)
e-mail: jswedene@lssu.edu
Office Hours: R: 9-12, F 11-1, and by appointment

Logic is typically defined as "the science of correct reasoning." Logic is a normative enterprise (as opposed to a descriptive enterprise), for to reason correctly is better than not to reason correctly. We are primarily concerned with how we ought to reason. As one philosopher puts it, logic is the "ethics of the intellect." Through analyzing language structures, propositions, and their relations we will acquire the tools requisite for a higher clarity of thinking and for a better way to convey our thoughts to others.

Required Text:

Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic, 8th edition: Wadsworth, 2003.

Required Course Website:

http://www.lssu.edu/faculty/jswedene

Course Requirements:

    1) You must attend class regularly and participate in all class activities.
2) There are many excellent exercises in this Logic text, and the CD that accompanies our text is a helpful practice medium. Since you are the best judge of what you need more work on, it would be prudent to work on all relevant problems, even if the instructor does not assign them. All assignments and class worksheets that are "officially" prescribed must be done before class.
    3) There will be three full-period exams and one cumulative final exam. When a test is missed, make-up tests are given only as warranted by circumstance ( e.g., documented illness or documented family emergency) and as granted by instructor. The four tests each account for 25% of your grade.

    4) “In compliance with Lake Superior State University policy and equal access laws, disability-related (learning, medical, physical, etc.) accommodations and services are available.  Students are to meet with their professor in a timely manner, preferably the first week of class, to discuss their accommodation needs. Students will not receive services until they register with the Resource Center for Students with Disabilities (RCSD).  Proper registration will enable the RCSD to verify the disability and determine reasonable academic accommodations.  RCSD is located in Library 101, ext. 2454.”

    5) Logic tutors are available upon request through the Learning Center. As they are employed on an as-needed basis only, please give me a signed letter indicating need so that I can forward it to the Learning Center to make sure a tutor is in place when you need one. All tutors employed have done well in past logic courses, so please take advantage of their experience and knowledge.
     

AUGUST
30- Course Introduction; What is logic? (1.1)

SEPTEMBER

1- Propositions and Expressions (2.1)

3- Words, Concepts, and Real Things (Reread 1.1, 2.1)

8- Multiple Choice Questions (See website: How to answer multiple choice questions)

10- Definitions and Meanings (2.2, 2.3)

13- Composing and Assessing Definitions (2.4, 2.5)

15- Deductive and Inductive Arguments (1.2, 1.3), and Implication

17- Test One

20- Species of Implication

22- Validity (1.4)

24- Validity (1.4)

27- Categorical Propositions (4.1, 4.2)

29- Venn Diagrams and Categorical Propositions (4.3, 4.4)

OCTOBER

1- The Squares of Opposition (4.3, 4.5)

4- The Squares of Opposition (4.3, 4.5, 4.6)

6- Categorical Syllogisms (5.1)

8- Categorical Syllogisms (5.1)

11- Testing for Validity, Venn Diagrams (5.2)

13- Venn Diagrams and Syllogism Rules (5.3)

15- Venn Diagrams and Syllogism Rules (5.3)

18-Test Two

20- Compound Propositions and Propositional Logic (6.1)

22- Truth Functions (6.2, 6.3)

25- Truth Functions (6.2, 6.3)

27- Tautogies and self-contradictories in depth

29- Logic on Standardized Tests


NOVEMBER

1- Logic on Standardized Tests

3- George Orwell’s "Politics and the English Language" (see course website for reading)

5- George Orwell’s "Politics and the English Language" (see course website for reading)

8- Induction (9.1)

10- Causality and Mill's Methods (9.2)

12- Test Three

15-Argument Forms and Fallacies (6.6, 3.1)

17- Fallacies of Relevance (3.2)

19- Fallacies of Weak Induction (3.3)

22- Fallacies of Ambiguity (3.4)

29- Some other fallacies (3.5 AND see course website for link to "The Nonsense Traps")


DECEMBER

1- Fallacies continued

3- Fallacies continued

6-Natural Deduction (7.1, 7.2)

8-Natural Deduction (7.3)

10- Natural Deduction (7.4)

Final Exam Week: Dec 13-16: Test Four. Please consult the most recent university guide for the Logic Final’s date, time and location.