INTRODUCING PHILOSOPHY 2020: PRICIPLES OF LOGIC AND ARGUMENTATION

 

TO THE STUDENT:
Welcome to this exciting course, designed by the Department of Philosophy to be the University CORE Curriculum offering which addresses directly a major mission of Valdosta State University:

The administrators, faculty, staff, and students of Valdosta State University...are committed to the creation and maintenance of the physical and intellectual environment in which students can develop and demonstrate the ability to think critically and independently...[VSU Bulletin]

Individually, and as a group, we will explore decision-making and problem-solving strategies, and will develop analytic and creative skills for critical and logical thinking. Such abilities are vital for one's personal and intellectual growth, and, when applied to your own major field of study, will enhance your performances in any academic subject persued. This is a promise, and you will have an opportunity to assess its truthfulness; after all, you need to see the evidence, don't you?!
Over the years, more than two thousand students have taken this course, and have profited immensely from the thinking and reasoning skills they learned. Whether it be in this class or in others, or in preparation for and success in graduate studies, or in a career which demands clear decision-making and leadership abilities, or simply as a more informed, thoughtful consumer of ideas whose daily life faces challenges for wise and practical problem-solving abilities, we are confident that Philosophy 2020 will really make a positive difference for you, as it has for others. You are in excellent company.

Welcome to a fascinating journey of thought and action!

PHILOSOPHY 2020: PRICIPLES OF LOGIC AND ARGUMENTATION
A course in reasoning and critical thinking

Professor: Dr. Ronald L. Barnette (Ph.D. University of California, Irvine)
Professor and Head
Department of Philosophy
Valdosta State University
Office: Campbell Hall
Phone: 333-5949; FAX: 249-5011
e-mail: rbarnett@valdosta.edu
WWW URL: www.valdosta.edu/~rbarnett/phi
Fall semester, 1999, office hours: 8-9a, 10-11a MWF; T and Th by appointment

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
TO LEARN and DEMONSTRATE:

Required Text:
The Art of Reasoning (3rd edition), by David Kelley,  including LogicTutor website: www.wwnorton.com/logictutor (password will be furnished); additional handouts and readings will be distributed in class and on the Philosophy Department website.

Attendance Policy:
Regular classroom attendance is a must, and careful records will be maintained. Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse.

Tests:
Four major exams, equally weighted. Homework assignments will be given periodically. 90% of the final grade will be based on the exams; 10% on assignments. Extra-credit opportunities will be afforded, when appropriate.

Special Services Information:
Students requiring special classroom accomodations or modification because of a documented disability should discuss this need with the professor at the beginning of the term. Students not registered with the Special Services Program should contact the Special Services Office in Nevins Hall. The phone number is 245-2498.

Email Accounts:

All participants are expected to have email addresses, as routine emailed information will be used by the class.

COURSE OUTLINE FOR PHILOSOPHY 2020

All references are to the text, The Art of Reasoning

    Chapter 1: Introduction

   Thinking Skills and Objectivity    pp. 1-7

PART ONE: Concepts and Propositions

    Chapters 2, 3 and 4                     pp.11-78

PART TWO: Arguments

    Chapters 5 and 6                         pp. 85-157

EXAM #1

PART THREE: Classical Deductive Logic

    Chapters 8 and 9                         pp. 195-259

EXAM #2

PART FOUR: Modern Deductive Logic

    Chapters 12 and 13                     pp. 331-369

EXAM #3

PART FIVE: Inductive Logic

    Chapters 15 and 18                     pp. 451-478; pp. 547-574

EXAM #4