Fall 2002: PHIL 11 - Critical Thinking

Section #15106 in ST 202
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM Fri and 08:00 AM - 11:55 AM Sat

Instructor: Brian W. Carver
E-mail: bwcarver at earthlink dot net
Course Web-site: http://home.earthlink.net/~bwcarver/

REQUIRED TEXTS:
The Power of Logic 2nd Edition. Layman, C. Stephen. McGraw-Hill (2002) ISBN: 0767420330

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
(0) Participation (10%): Attendance will be taken at each class meeting.
(1) Test on Chapter 1 (15%): Friday, November 8.
(2) Test on Chapter 2 (15%): Friday, November 15.
(3) Argument Analysis Exercise #1 (30%): Due Friday, November 22. Analysis of an Editorial*
(4) Test on Chapter 3 (15%): Friday, December 6.
(5) Test on Chapter 4 (15%): Friday, December 13.

Chapter tests will be made up of multiple-choice and true-false questions similar to the excercises in the text.
Students should purchase a total of four scantron sheets (Form 882-E).
*Specific instructions for the Argument Analysis Exercise will be provided in class.

Make-up Exercises, Late Papers: Late Argument Analysis Exercises will generally not be accepted. Those with an excuse may be accepted with a penalty to the grade.

Attendance: Attendance is expected. Due to the intensive nature of a 6-week class, a student that misses more than two classes will be dropped, or if the drop period has concluded, will fail.

Drop Policy: To determine that the last day to drop without a "W" and the last day to drop please check the date on your Registration Receipt/Schedule or contact the Student Services Center.

Academic Honesty: I assume you are familiar with the College's policies on Academic Honesty. I consider it my responsibility in cases of academic dishonesty to respond with the most severe penalty.

Students with disabilities: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for any sort of disability are invited to make an appointment to see me.

Changes to this Syllabus: It is my intention to follow this syllabus as closely as possible. If a change is necessary, this will be discussed in class. For this reason, if you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact me or a fellow student to stay abreast of the class/exam schedule.

Transfer Status: Transferable to UC/CSU, see counselor for limitations.

Course Description: (from College Catalog) This course presents critical thinking as a tool and skill to be used for better understanding, evaluating and constructing arguments. The focus will be on developing and enhancing the student's ability to identify, analyze and present arguments. Topics covered through analysis and writing include the nature of argument, inductive and deductive reasoning, rhetoric, theory of knowledge, scientific method, informal fallacies and the composition of persuasive essays.



Schedule:

Week 1 11/01 F Class 1: 6:00-7:15 Introduction to Critical Thinking
                                                7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 1

                11/02 S Class 2: 8:00-9:15 Chapter 1
                                                9:25-10:40 Chapter 1
                                                10:40-11:55 Finish Chapter 1

Week 2 11/08 F Class 3: 6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 1 (pages 1-45)
                                               7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 2

                11/09 S Class 4: 8:00-9:15 Chapter 2
                                                9:25-10:40 Chapter 2
                                                10:40-11:55 Finish Chapter 2

Week 3 11/15 F Class 5: 6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 2 (pages 47-87)
                                                7:15-8:30 Begin Analyzing Arguments (for AAE #1)

                11/16 S Class 6: 8:00-9:15 Analyzing Arguments (for AAE #1)
                                                9:25-10:40 Analyzing Arguments (for AAE #1)
                                                10:40-11:55 Analyzing Arguments (for AAE #1)

Week 4 11/22 F Class 7: 6:00-7:15 Argument Analysis Exercise #1 Due; Begin Chapter 3
                                                7:15-8:30 Chapter 3

                11/23 S Class 8: 8:00-9:15 Chapter 3
                                                9:25-10:40 Chapter 3
                                                10:40-11:55 Finish Chapter 3

Week 5 12/06 F Class 9: 6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 3 (pages 89-119)
                                               7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 4

                12/07 S Class 10: 8:00-9:15 Chapter 4
                                                  9:25-10:40 Chapter 4
                                                  10:40-11:55 Finish Chapter 4

Week 6 12/13 F Class 11: 6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 4 (pages 121-161)