PHIL 201
INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC
Professor A. T. Anchustegui
Office: 1017 Lincoln Hall #104
Phone: 426-2704
Dept. of Philosophy: 426-3304
Office hrs.: TBA
Text: The Essentials of Logic by Irving M. Copi and Carl Cohen (Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2004)
Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to enable you to: understand the basic logical concepts (e.g., arguments, premises, conclusions, validity, soundness, and consistency); analyze discourse containing demonstrative arguments; evaluate arguments using the basic techniques of propositional logic (e.g., truth tables); construct formal proofs of validity in accordance with fundamental principles of logical inference; develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Course Grades and Policies
a. Two exams each worth 25% (50% total).
b. Three quizzes each worth 10% (30% total).
c. Periodic homework and in-class assignments worth 10%.
d. Class participation and attendance worth 10%.
v The exams and quizzes will consist of short answer and multiple choice questions. The final exam is non-cumulative and will cover all the material between the first exam and the final.
v You must take all exams to pass the course.
v If you cannot make it to the exam on the scheduled day, then make prior arrangements with me.
v No extra credit is offered in this course.
v Attendance will be taken on a regular basis. Attendance is necessary for learning and doing well in philosophy. Therefore, you are expected to attend and participate regularly.
v Late homework will be penalized 10 points.
Academic Dishonesty from the BSU Student Handbook
Cheating or plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. The University functions to promote the cognitive and psychosocial development of all students. Therefore, all work submitted by a student must represent her/his own ideas, concepts, and current understanding.
Academic dishonesty also includes submitting substantial portions of the same academic course work to more than one course for credit without prior permission of the instructor(s).
Tentative Schedule of Topics
Weeks 1-2 Basic Concepts
Arguments, Premises and Conclusions
Reasoning Indicators
Quiz I
Weeks 3-4 Deduction and Induction
Quiz II
Weeks 5-6 Informal Fallacies
Fallacies: Relevance, Ambiguity, Presumption
Exam I
Weeks 7-9 Categorical Propositions, Venn Diagrams
Quiz III
Weeks 10-14 Propositional Logic: Translations
Rules of Inference and Replacement Rules
Natural Deduction
Exam II