SYLLABUS

Introduction to Logic (Web course)

Phil A101

William Jamison

THEME: Analyzes argumentation and informal fallacies; introduces deductive logic, and examines inductive evidence in scientific and practical reasoning.

TEXTS: Introduction to Logic, Copi and Cohen, 11th ed. Prentice Hall http://www.prenhall.com/copi/ (Note that if you purchase a used copy of the text and the access code packet is either missing or already used you must purchase a new access packet through the book store to use the eLogic site by this method. Summer 2003 MetaText Course ID Code is 2192.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 100% of the grade will be from tests based on the chapter exercises on the eLogic site. There are 14 chapters each worth 7.14 points for a total of 100 points.

This is a distance-delivered course; a college-level course that includes web presentations as an integral part of the course material. In taking this course, you will have the opportunity:

-- to read, in your copy of Introduction to Logic, Irving Copi’s comprehensive Introduction to Logic;

-- to see explanations on the web;

-- to do exercises yourself through the quizzes and tests on the web on those concepts;

-- to reflect on the whole conversation including the views of all participants (the Lecture Notes should help you do this);

-- to understand the place that Logic has in our lives.

Components for the Course:

My Lecture Notes, which will take you week by week through the concepts that provide the basis for this course;

The textbook Introduction to Logic, which contains a broad selection of the most important tools in the history of logic to provide the background you will need to understand how we have come to view logic the way that we do;

The online web page called "eLogic" that includes exercises and all the tests you will need to complete this course.

To complete this course successfully, you are obligated to complete the following assignments:

 100% of the grade will be from tests on the chapter exercises that are on the eLogic page. It is very important that you insure a copy of each quiz and end of chapter test has the instructors email address filled in so the instructor receives a copy. (See this note.)

OFFICE: Contact by e-mail is the most efficient way to communicate with the instructor. This course is a technology-delivered course, not a traditional course supplemented with online content. If you need to see the instructor personally office hours are only by appointment in Room 219, Building K, UAA or check my Current Schedule. You may also feel free to telephone the instructor at 694-1023.

CLASS: There are no class meetings or on-site requirements. The course work is done by reading the text and doing the exercises in the text and online on the eLogic web page, following the links on the syllabus, and using e-mail. All requirements for this course can be met through use of the Internet, e-mail, and the text. Please disregard general requirements for ATS courses that imply on-site exams are part of this course. No on site exam is required. Follow the links on this syllabus for all the assignments. There are no on-site requirements or meetings.

Phone: 694-1023 (home), ATS office: 786-4488, Philosophy Department Secretary 786-4455. The best way to get a message to me is via e-mail. Please feel free to call my home phone. My main web page is located at http://wsjamison.uaa.alaska.edu/ and my e-mail address is wsjamison@UAA.ALASKA.EDU.

SCHEDULE and LECTURE LINKS:  

You can take this course at your own pace! However, if you want an idea of how much to do per week of a 15 week semester, you can think of the sections as going by the following weeks:  

Week 1: Introduction to the course, description of course requirements and overview.

Week 2: Chapter 1  

I. LOGIC AND LANGUAGE.

1. Basic Logical Concepts.

Week 3: Chapter 2 

2. The Uses of Language.

 -- Basic Argument Analysis with the Monty Python

Week 4: Chapter 3  

3. Definition.

Week 5: Chapter 4 

4. Fallacies.

Here is an interesting online page for Fallacies.

Week 6: Chapter 5  

II. DEDUCTION.

5. Categorical Propositions.

Week 7: Chapter 6 

6. Categorical Syllogisms.

Here is an interesting online tool for  Syllogisms.

Week 8: Chapter 7  

7. Arguments in Ordinary Language.

Week 9: Chapter 8 

8. Symbolic Logic.

Here is an interesting online tool for Arguments.

Week 10: Chapter 9  

9. The Method of Deduction.

Week 11: Chapter 10  

10. Quantification Theory.

Week 12: Chapter 11  

III. INDUCTION.

11. Analogy and Probable Inference.

Week 13: Chapter 12 

12. Causal Connections: Mill's Methods of Experimental Inquiry.

Week 14: Chapter 13  

13. Science and Hypothesis.

Week 15: Chapter 14  

14. Probability.

Tests: All tests are set up on the eLogic web page. Go to this link and register for the course on the eLogic page using the access code on the card that accompanied your new textbook. When you go to the eLogic page you should click on the picture of the 11th edition of the book. In the dialogue box that comes up and asks, "Have you checked to see if your instructor has created a course in eLogic before entering your access code?" select "Yes I have, continue." 

This page is maintained by William S. Jamison. It was last updated August 20, 2002. All links on these pages are either to open source or public domain materials or they are marked with the appropriate copyright information. I frequently check the links I have made to other web sites but each source is responsible for their own content.

Please e-mail me if you find anything amiss or have ideas to make these pages more useful.

This page is maintained by William S. Jamison. It was last updated August 14, 2012. All links on these pages are either to open source or public domain materials or they are marked with the appropriate copyright information. I frequently check the links I have made to other web sites but each source is responsible for their own content.