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 2^nd Edition. Layman, C. Stephen. McGraw-Hill (2002) ISBN: 0767420330

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

(1) Test on Chapter 1 (10%): Friday, April 26.
(2) Test on Chapter 2 (10%): Friday, May 3.
(3) Argument Analysis Exercise #1 (20%): Due Friday, May 10. Analysis of an Editorial*
(4) Test on Chapter 3 (10%): Friday, May 17.
(5) Test on Chapter 4 (10%): Friday, May 24
(6) Test on Chapter 5 (10%): Saturday, June 1.  CANCELLED
(7) Test on Chapter 10 (10%): Saturday, June 1.  MOVED TO FRIDAY, MAY 31
(8) Argument Analysis Exercise #2 (20%): Due Saturday, June 1. Voter's Guide Arguments*
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 six scantron sheets (Form 882-E).
*Specific instructions for each 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. Quality class participation and an excellent attendance record may be used to resolve borderline cases. Due to the intensive nature of a 7-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.

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
    4/19 F Class 1:    6:00-7:15 Introduction to Critical Thinking
                              7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 1
    4/20 S Class 2:    8:00-9:15 Chapter 1
                              9:15-10:30 Chapter 1
                              10:30-11:45 Finish Chapter 1

Week 2
    4/26 F Class 3:    6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 1 (pages 1-45)
                              7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 2
    4/27 S Class 4:    8:00-9:15 Chapter 2
                              9:15-10:30 Chapter 2
                              10:30-11:45 Finish Chapter 2

Week 3
    5/03 F Class 5:    6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 2 (pages 47-87)
                              7:15-8:30 Begin Analyzing Arguments
    5/04 S Class 6:    8:00-9:15 Analyzing Arguments
                              9:15-10:30 Analyzing Arguments
                              10:30-11:45 Analyzing Arguments

Week 4
    5/10 F Class 7:    6:00-7:15 Argument Analysis Exercise #1 Due; Begin Chapter 3
                              7:15-8:30 Chapter 3
    5/11 S Class 8:    8:00-9:15 Chapter 3
                              9:15-10:30 Chapter 3
                              10:30-11:45 Finish Chapter 3

Week 5
    5/17 F Class 9: 6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 3 (pages 89-119)
                           7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 4
    5/18 S Class 10: 8:00-9:15 Chapter 4
                             9:15-10:30 Chapter 4
                             10:30-11:45 Finish Chapter 4

Week 6
    5/24 F Class 11:  6:00-7:15 Test on Chapter 4 (pages 121-161)
                              7:15-8:30 Begin Chapter 5 CANCELLED -- Discuss AAE #2 Instead
    5/25 S Class 12:  8:00-9:15 Chapter 5 CANCELLED --Discuss AAE #2 Instead
                              9:15-10:30 Finish Chapter 5 CANCELLED -- Discuss AAE #2 Instead
                              10:30-11:45 Begin Chapter 10 (& Finish Chapter 10)

Week 7
    5/31 F Class 13:  6:00-7:15 Chapter 10 CANCELLED -- Test on Chapter 10 moved up instead.
                              7:15-8:30 Finish Chapter 10 CANCELLED
    6/01 S Class 14:  8:00-9:15 Test on Chapter 5 (pages 163-185) CANCELLED
                              9:15-10:30 Test on Chapter 10 (pages 441-479) MOVED TO FRIDAY, MAY 31
                              10:30-11:45 Argument Analysis Exercise #2 Due (DUE 8:00 AM!)