Introduction to Logic

Philosophy 120B

Spring 2007

Mon-Fri 11:30-12:20 p.m., Room L220

Instructor: Mark Storey

(425) 564-2118, R230-E, mstorey@bcc.ctc.edu

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-10:20 a.m.

 

Course Description:

 

The good news: this is not a math class.

The bad news: much of it is just like a math class.

 

In this course you will be responsible for learning (1) the nature and structure of arguments, (2) how to translate deductive arguments found in ordinary language into the language of formal logic (utilizing propositional and predicate logic), and (3) how to assess the validity of arguments presented in formal logic. Most students who have taken this course (and have since been released from psychiatric care) claim that it “is hard,” “requires a lot of time and effort,” or simply “is a pain in the neck.” For the most part they are right. Some of you are going to have no problem at all with this course; you will view each practice and test problem as a fun puzzle to work out. The instructor wishes that he could have had your attitude when he was in your shoes. Most of you, however, will want to throw your book across the room at some point when doing problems at home. To you the instructor says, “hang in there”; he will do what he can to get you through this labor of logic. Remember, though, the responsibility is on your shoulders to learn the material. To succeed at this course all students should steel themselves to do at least two things: (1) attend all classes—if you fall behind even one day, the remainder of the course will probably be a mysterious blur that can only be compared to a mystical experience with Nothingness—and (2) every day do many of the problems pertaining to the material covered that day in class. Do the problems even if the material seemed straightforward in class. The instructor has a knack of making the impenetrable appear pellucid (he also has a taste for alliteration), so you need to make sure that you can do the problems on your own. Daily practice is the only way that you will absorb all of the intricate techniques presented in this course. Relax, enjoy the challenge, and good luck.

 

Reasons To Take This Course:

 

* It provides the skills needed to analyze the strength of arguments and is thus vital to advanced work in philosophy.

* It fulfills a basic skills requirement.

* It provides a basis for further study in computer programming and in computer languages.

* It fulfills a basic skills requirement.

* It serves as preparation for pre-law students.

* It fulfills a basic skills requirement.

 

Required Course Text:

 

* Patrick Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic, 9th edition

 

Course Requirements:

 

* 3 in-class tests: 1/3 of course grade each

* Appropriate behavior in class (e.g., not walking out early, no cell phones, no chatting)

* Read www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/policy.html

 

Grading Policy:

 

Late tests will be penalized as follows. Tests taken late, but on the day they are given, will have their grades reduced by 0.2 GPA points. Tests taken one day late will be penalized 0.5 GPA points. Tests taken more than one day late will be penalized an additional 0.2 GPA points for each additional day late—weekends and holidays included. (For example, if a test is taken two days late, it will be penalized 0.7 GPA points.) No late tests will be given after graded tests are returned to the class. The last test may not be taken early or late. Do not expect that your excuse will enable you to avoid this policy. If you are sick, come to class anyway and take the test; if your car breaks down, take a taxi to school. There is no extra credit, so take the tests seriously.

 

The instructor does not give “Hardship Withdrawals” unless clear documentation of serious concerns (as determined by the instructor) can be provided at the time of the serious concerns (i.e., not at the end of the quarter), nor does he give “Incompletes” or HWs to salvage students’ GPAs or to help them dishonestly maintain financial aid. Philosophy 120 is designed so that all students may do well, but if for some reason (and there are many good reasons in our busy lives) you stop coming to class, then you should quickly go to the Registration Office and officially withdraw from the class. Otherwise you will receive a course grade based on the course work you did and did not complete. This often results in a failing grade (i.e., an F). It is your responsibility to find out the last day in which you may drop a class. All that said, the vast majority of the students who take this course and study regularly end up doing fine.

 

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of Disability Support Services (room B132-G; 425-564-2498 or TTY 425-564-4110) to establish their eligibility for accommodation. The DSS office will provide each eligible student with an accommodation letter. Students who require accommodation in class should review the DSS accommodation letter with the instructor during the first week of the quarter.

 

For information on BCC’s Philosophy Tutorial Program, and other Philosophy courses, visit the Philosophy Department’s Web site at www.bcc.ctc.edu/philosophy.


 

 

Introduction to Logic

Philosophy 120B

M-F 11:30-12:20 p.m.

Mark Storey

 

 

Course Schedule

 

 

This course schedule tells what sections of Patrick Hurley’s A Concise Introduction to Logic we’ll be covering each day. It is not necessary to read the material before coming to class; it may be best to hear the instructor’s presentation first, and then go home and read the material as part of your regular study routine.  If there are any changes to the schedule, you will be told about them in class. You are responsible for being in class on time to hear of any changes.

 

 

 

Date

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Apr 2-6

1.1

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

Apr 9-13

4.1, 4.2

4.3

4.4

4.6

 

Apr 16-20

6.1

6.1

6.2

6.2

6.3

Apr 23-27

6.3

6.4

6.4

 

TEST

Apr 30 - May 4

7.1

7.1

7.2

7.2

7.3

May 7-11

7.3

7.4

7.4

No Class

7.5

May 14-18

7.5

7.6

7.6

7.7

 

May 21-25

TEST

8.1

8.1

8.1

8.2

May 28 – Jun 1

Holiday

8.2

8.3

8.4

No class

Jun 4-8

8.4

8.4

8.6

8.6

8.7

Jun 11-15

8.7

 

TEST 11:30

x

x