Philosophy 2301-30: OnLine Syllabus
(last updated April 24, 2008)
LOGIC
Summer 2008: OnLine
May 10, 8:00 am - August 8, 10:59 pm (13 weeks)
Stan Rummel no campus office
Phone: it's possible to leave messages with the Dean's Office at 817/531-4900, but there is no established procedure for passing the messages on to me: you need to use WebCT email for all communications
"Office" Hours: none -- if for some reason you need to see me in person, you should use WebCT email to make an appointment for a day and time we can meet on campus
  • Text: Patrick J. Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic, 10th ed., Custom Edition for Texas Wesleyan University. Thomson Wadsworth, ©2008, 2006. There are two ISBN numbers listed in the book: 13:-978-0-495-49332-7 and 10: 0-495-49332-5. For this course you should acquire a book and an "Instant Access" code for using the CengageNOW website. Some transition is currently occurring between the old name "Thomson" and the new name "Cengage," but as far as I've been able to determine it doesn't seem to make a practical difference. The most straightforward way to acquire the textbook and code needed for the course is to buy a shrinkwrapped copy of the book at the Bookstore, which will automatically include a card with the code. 

1. Invitation to the Course.

1.1. About the Course. According to the Catalog, this course is: "An introduction to the basic principles of logic." In the course we consider some aspects of effective thinking. Our practical aim in the course is to master materials in the text through learning information covered in the text and working selected exercises in the text. This course provides one of the options for fulfilling the "Cultural Literacy" requirement in the General Education Curriculum (p. 91 of the 2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog).

1.2. You have chosen to take an online course. Online learning is not suitable to everyone's style, and thriving in the course requires a "yes" answer to the following questions:

  1. Do you have the ability to work independently? In particular, if you think you will need help with homework assignments other than the procedures specified below, you should enroll in an onland class rather than an online class. This section does not offer "tutoring" as a supplement to the basic materials provided in the course.
  2. Do you have the self-discipline to maintain a schedule that will provide you with adequate time to submit assignments by the time and date they are due? For example, you might want to use time during the second unit of the course to work on homework for the third unit.
  3. Can you read and follow directions? It will be your responsibility to establish yourself in both WebCT and CengageNOW, using the help that is available through these programs.
  4. Are you good at asking legitimate questions that can be answered? ("I'm confused" doesn't work -- you need to be able to frame specific questions. Asking for the answer to a homework problem before it is graded is not legitimate, either.)
  5. Do you have access to the web on a daily basis? Do you have an alternate way of accessing the web in case something goes wrong with your primary method? A lot of things can go wrong on the web (for example, computer failure or power outages), and you need to make provisions for this -- web failures will not provide an acceptable excuse for missing assignments or examinations.
1.3. Things You Need to Know.
1.3.1. The Syllabus gives you essential information about the course. It is your responsibility to know the content of the Syllabus. The frequency with which students invent their own rules for the course is a source of constant amazement -- if you have any questions or concerns that are covered in the Syllabus, I will always respond by telling you to check some specific section of the Syllabus. If you ask me to do something that I say in the Syllabus I won't do, then I won't do it. We're not making up rules as we go, and you are not an exception to the policies that apply to everyone else!
1.3.2. The course runs for 13 weeks divided into three units (two four-week units, and a five-week unit). The course will run through WebCT for all communications and examinations. WebCT is our classroom, and using WebCT for emails is a requirement of the course. If you write me outside of WebCT, I will respond by simply telling you to read this section of the syllabus -- I need to know that you're actually in this class. Failure to check WebCT regularly is equivalent to not attending an onland class -- I send messages about once a week (usually with reminders about due-dates), and you need to keep up-to-date on your WebCT emails.
1.3.3. Being able to use the CengageNOW website is another computer skill you must have in order to take the course. All homework assignments are posted in CengageNOW and must be submitted through CengageNOW in order to receive credit. CengageNOW also contains special study-materials that are crucial to your success on examinations, as indicated by the review-guides in section 4 of this syllabus.
To enroll yourself in our CengageNOW course (named "Logic30Summer2008"), take the following steps:
  • Go to: http://west.ilrn.com.
  • Under "New Users," click Create an Account.
  • On the "Registering" page, click Student.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to Select your School.
  • Next you will have three different options: "Enter Course Key," "Content Access Code," or "Course Key and Content Access Code."  Choose Course Key and Content Access Code. The Course Key is: E-2J98TX5W9NAWG. The Content Access Code is on the card that goes with the textbook.
  • Enter your Account Information.
NOTE: If you run into difficulties with the CengageNOW website, you can call (1)800/423-0563, Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 5:00pm our time. Emailing is a good option, because there is a live chat room for technical support. To enter this chat room, go to http://www.thomsonedu.com/support (yes, I believe this is still the correct address), select CengageNOW as your "Product," and follow the instructions to get to "Chat ONLINE.
1.3.4. Please note carefully: this is a performance-based class rather than an excuse-based class. Excuses are "reasons" (or "issues," or "crises," or any other euphemism of your choice) why you might not be able to accomplish certain goals of the course, such as submitting materials by the time they're due. I don't make judgments about the quality of your excuses, because they will not become a basis for your evaluation. This statement applies to all such issues as computer difficulties and missing deadlines on homework assignments or examinations. Excuses deriving from procrastination are especially unacceptable. "I forgot" (which is the subject of a classic Steve Martin comedy routine) or "I didn't understand" or "Cengage didn't show me all the exercises" are not legitimate, either. (If you don't understand something, you ought to be asking me questions well in advance.) Substitute exams will not be offered unless documentation is provided of some week-long emergency that prevented you from taking a scheduled exam. This is also not an "extra-credit"-based class. For the sake of fairness, there will be no "extra-credit" (except for the remedial assignments discussed later in this Syllabus). That is, every student will be evaluated on the same basis as every other student, and the exact criteria for this evaluation are stated below.
Consider the meaning of what I have said above. There will never be an acceptable reason for missing a homework assignment, because you have from several weeks to several months for each assignment. Exams can be trickier, because they have only a one-week window and you can enter them only one time. Once you have opened an exam, there are no circumstances that will allow you to re-open it. (That is, I won't allow this.) For the first two exams, I have provided remedial assignments that can raise your grade to a C on the exam. The only circumstances in which I will consider a different alternative depends on your taking the exam at least 3 days (72 hours) before the exam is due -- WebCT shows me the exact time an exam is opened and closed. (The 72-hours principle derives from my refusal to support procrastination.) If you meet this requirement and wish to take an alternative exam, you may schedule a paper exam -- no books, no notes -- in my office. Since this alternative exam requires different preparation than the regular exam, I will put a guide for you on the class web page. Note carefully: choosing this option means that you will not qualify for a remedial assignment (in case this option leaves you below a C).
1.3.5. A piece of advice: Don't Procrastinate. Procrastination is your worst enemy in the course. "Procrastinating" means "putting off doing the work for this course because you have other things to do." Not procrastinating" means "making room for unpredictable occurrences by completing your homework and exams in this course at least three days (72 hours) ahead of due-dates." Most of the time computers and programs work properly, the power stays on, and emergency life-situations don't arise. But not always. Please try to understand this: it doesn't matter what your excuses are -- you are evaluated according to what you do, NOT according to your reasons for failing to do something.
1.3.6. A note on scheduling. I make homework assignments available long before their due-dates, and exams are open for one week. Since the deadlines are absolute, the freedom you experience in this course is that of planning your working schedule according to your own needs. You need to take responsibility for this. Using the due-dates of homework assignments and putting off exams until the end of the exam periods is the worst possible strategy for succeeding in the course. The single most discouraging problem I face concerns students who stall in starting the course by not going through the process of enrolling in CengageNOW. (And, yes, there are students who for some reason believe they will not need a brand-new access code in order to enter and use the site.)
1.4. Texas Wesleyan University Policies. [This is a generic statement provided and required by the University.] Students should read the current Texas Wesleyan Catalog and Student Handbook to become familiar with University policies. This includes but is not limited to academic integrity, grade appeal, sexual harassment, student access to records, and others; policies specified in the current catalog are applicable unless otherwise stated in this syllabus. Texas Wesleyan University adheres to a disability policy which is in keeping with relevant federal law. The University will provide appropriate accommodation.  Students must notify instructors of any permanent or temporary disabilities and must provide documentation regarding those disabilities prior to the granting of an accommodation. For assistance, students should consult with the Career, Counseling and Testing Center. Note: Course syllabi are intended to provide students with basic information concerning the course; changes in the syllabus can be made and students will be informed of any substantive changes concerning examinations, the grading or attendance policies, and changes in project assignments.
2. Course Requirements.

2.1. The Class as Class.

2.1.1. In brief, your task in this course is to:

2.1.2. In performing these tasks, you need to respect the fact that this course is neither an independent study nor a series of private lessons. That is, you are expected to accomplish the goals of the course without the assistance that would be provided by an "on land" class. The process requires consistent effort, but it is do-able because of the help that Cengage provides.

2.1.3. When you sign in to the class in CengageNOW, you will see a "Study Tools" box toward the top of the screen. From here you should click on the picture of the Hurley book. When you open the book you will see a list of chapters. Click on the one you want, and you will see a menu that includes: "Pre-Test," "Study-Plan," "Post-Test." Since the two tests presume that you have read all of a chapter, they are not a good place to start! (However, see section 2.3. on Examinations). Clicking the "Personalized Study Plan" at the left of the screen (or the "Study Plan" box in the middle of the screen) leads to a page that breaks down the book by section. The "Learning Logic: interactive tutorial" link gives you a tutorial on a section. The tutorial is organized by "problems." This tutorial provides crucial help in understanding and applying the concepts found in the text.

2.1.4. The class process consists of:

These two steps are the equivalent of attending an onland class. After doing these things, you are ready to proceed to the homework.

2.2. HomeWork Assignments. There will be seven HomeWork assignments throughout the course. The average of these assignments is worth twenty-five per cent of the overall grade. The assignments are drawn from the exercises in the text. The schedule of assignments in this syllabus lists the problems according to their numbers in the textbook, but when you go to the homework assignments in CengageNOW, the problems that I have chosen will simply appear in a numerical sequence starting with "1" for each section. You may work an assignment as many times as you want, and you will receive feedback about your answers. The goal is to achieve a perfect score on each assignment. As soon as you submit an assignment the grade is recorded in CengageNOW. The last grade on an assignment is the one that "counts," and this is the grade I move (by hand) to WebCT. You will have a lot of flexibility with homework because the assignments will be posted well in advance of the due-dates -- using the due-dates to set your schedule is not a strong idea. You should determine the schedule that gives you adequate time for each assignment. Please note that the only way to receive credit for homework is to submit it through CengageNOW -- alternatives such as submitting answers through emails will not be accepted for credit. I won't provide answers to homework questions before their due-dates, since they are graded assignments. Following the class process stated above is the key to success on the homework, and it is what you are expected to do in this course. If doing this is not sufficient for you to solve the homework problems, then you need to be in an onland section where you can get extra help and advice.

The process of submitting homework in CengageNOW is:

2.3. Examinations. Examinations provide the benchmark by which you demonstrate what you have actually learned in the course (as opposed to homework assignments, which provide the benchmark by which you demonstrate that you are willing to work at the course). The three Examinations to be given during the semester will each cover one unit of the course. Each examination is worth twenty-five per cent of the overall grade. Each exam will include twenty-five questions dealing with concepts, followed by twenty-five questions consisting of problems modeled after selected exercises in the textbook.

Concept-questions will be either multiple-choice or true-false. There will be 25 of these questions on each exam. The basis for such questions will be the true-false questions in the homework, and the Pre-Test and Post-Test questions in CengageNOW. To get the the Pre-Test and Post-Test questions in CengageNOW, go to "Course Materials," then click on Hurley's book, and then click the chapter you want. The two tests will appear on the left side of the screen.

Problem-questions will be questions that you haven't seen. See the review-guides in the course schedule below for the homework exercises that are used as models on each examination.

2.3.1. Taking an Online Exam Via WebCT. The link to an exam will appear on the main page of the course. Don't click the exam link until you are ready to take the exam, because you can enter an exam only once. When you click on the exam link, you will see a screen of general instructions. Click "Begin quiz" to start the exam. Once you start, you will have one hour and twenty-eight minutes (that is, a little over 1 minute and 45 seconds per question) to complete it. A clock on the exam screen will show you how your time is doing. All questions will be available, and you may go to any question at any time. You must click "Save Answer" to get credit for a question. The right side of the exam screen will contain a grid that shows the status of each question: yellow dot means unanswered, blue check mark means answered and saved, red exclamation mark means answered but not saved. When you are done, click "Finish" to submit the exam for grading. When the confirmation message appears, click "OK."

Each examination is worth 100 points, but you can benefit from a bonus on each one. The bonus will be either 14 or 7 points, and it depends on the timeliness with which you take the exam. For details on each exam, see the schedule below.

2.3.2. I have posted a "Practice Exam" on the WebCT page, so that you can hone your skills on the process of taking an exam before taking an actual examination. (The practice exam doesn't contain "real" questions -- its purpose is to give you a chance to go through the process of taking an examination.) One difference between the Practice Exam and an actual examination is that I have set the practice for "unlimited" attempts (instead of one only). I used the setting: "Release the score once the quiz has been submitted and all the questions have been graded" rather than "Release the score once the availability period has ended" (which will apply to an actual examination). I did set a password: practice. Since I have to do grading by hand, you need to let me know when you have submitted a practice exam in order to see the results.

2.3.3. Remedial Possibility. If you make less than a 60 (C) on either of the first two Examinations, you may request a Remedial Assignment to bring your grade up to a 60. Once you send me a message saying that you want me to set up the remedial assignment for you, I'll put it on your WebCT page and let you know it's available. (This will not happen automatically -- you must make a request for the assignment.) The offer of remedial points does not extend upwards beyond 60, and remedial points may not be used to raise the final course grade above a C. The assignment will ask you to identify major topics in the chapters covered by the next examination. If you answer all the questions correctly, and if you identify the page(s) in the textbook where you found the information, you will receive the number of points you need for a 60 on the relevant examination. (You may receive partial credit for a remedial assignment, but you must give page numbers in order to receive any credit for a particular question.) A remedial assignment for the first exam must be completed the day before the start of the second exam, and a remedial assignment for the second exam must be completed the day before the start of the third exam. You will have "unlimited" attempts at an assignment, and you may receive feedback after any attempt if you let me know you would like your assignment read. Otherwise, I'll read it after the start of the next exam.

3. Grades. Your grade in the course will depend on your scores on Examinations (25% for each examination) and the average of your HomeWork Assignments (25%). All work will be given numerical grades, according to the following scale:

On this basis, the final course grade will be determined by cumulative points as follows: I post final grades as soon as possible at the end of the semester. For them to become available on RamLink, they have to be "verified" by the Registrar's Office -- a process over which I have no control.

4. Course Schedule.
 

Class Week #1: May 10-16

During this week your basic task is to familiarize yourself with the various components of the course and make sure you are set to go. This process includes:

  • Finding your place in WebCT
  • Reading the syllabus (be sure you set your web browser so that you will see any updates)
  • Enrolling in CengageNOW, learning how to use it, and starting the Homework Assignment due on May 23
Class Week #2: May 17-23
homework #1: Chapter 1 – Basic Concepts, sections 1-2
homework #1 is available April 12, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #1 must be submitted in CengageNOW by May 23, 10:59 pm
chapter 1.1: "Arguments, Premises, and Conclusions" -- 2 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 1.1-I, numbers 13-30 in the book (2 points each = 36)
        exercise 1.1-IV, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 1.2: "Recognizing Arguments" -- 3 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 1.2-I, numbers 2-17 and 19 in the book (2 points each = 34)
        exercise 1.2-V, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
        exercise 1.2-VI, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
Class Week #3: May 24-30
homework #2: Chapter 1 – Basic Concepts, sections 3-4
homework #2 is available April 13, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #2 must be submitted in CengageNOW by May 30, 10:59 pm
chapter 1.3: "Deduction and Induction" -- 2 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 1.3-I, numbers 11-25 in the book (2 points each = 30)
        exercise 1.3-III, numbers 1-15 in the book (1 point each = 15)
chapter 1.4: "Validity, Truth, Soundness, Strength, Cogency" -- 4 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 1.4-I, numbers 2-8 in the book (2 points each = 14)
        exercise 1.4-II, numbers 2-8 in the book (2 points each = 14)
        exercise 1.4-III, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
        exercise 1.4-V, numbers 1-15 in the book (1 point each = 15)
Class Week #4: May 31 - June 6
take first examination

the exam will be available in WebCT from 8:00 am May 31 through 10:59 pm June 6
you are allowed one attempt, so make sure you're ready to take it before you open it
the time-limit is 88 minutes, and there is no password
examinations submitted by 10:59 pm on June 2 will receive 14 bonus points
or examinations submitted by 10:59 pm on June 4 will receive 7 bonus points
grades will be posted on June 7

The exam will consist of 50 questions: 25 of the questions will cover the content of the unit, and 25 of the questions will give you problems to solve. All questions will be worth 2 points each. The curve on the exam depends on the timeliness of your submission. Note that 10:59 pm rounds off to 11:00, but it is not a round-off figure for 11:01 and so on, and WebCT records the time of your submission.

The content questions will mix Multiple-Choice and True-False. They will be drawn from the True-False questions in exercises we have worked, and the Pre-Test and Post-Test questions in CengageNOW. In considering the questions, you should identify (and remember) the correct answer, rather than the form of the question. For example, a true-false question in the source materials might become a multiple-choice question on the exam. The Pre-Test and Post-Test have many fill-in-the-blank questions, a form that will not be used on the exam. If you study the correct answers, the translation of such questions into true-false or multiple-choice should not pose a problem.

Here is an example of a "typical" multiple-choice question:
A statement is:
  a. A sentence that is true or false
  b. A combination of words that poses a question
  c. A proposal for an action-plan
  d. A command to simulate an action-plan
The problem questions will present examples you have not seen before. All the examples will correspond to exercises you have worked in the assignments, so the key to preparing for this part of the exam is knowing how to do the exercises. The following descriptions limit the amount of information you'd need to bring into the exam:
  • One set of questions asks you to select the best answer out of five, with the following instruction: "The following question relates to distinguishing arguments from nonarguments and identifying conclusions. Select the best answer." Four of the answers will suggest a possible conclusion, and one of the answers will say "Nonargument." These questions correspond to Exercises 1.1-I, 1.2-I, and 1.2-II. [There are no questions that ask you to identify the type of nonargument, so that distinguishing an argument from a nonargument and then being able to determine the conclusion of an argument are the emphases in these questions.]
      Here is an example of this type of question:
       
        The following question relates to distinguishing arguments from nonarguments and identifying conclusions. Select the best answer.
        We believe that our company must develop and produce outstanding products that will perform a great service or fill a need for our customers. We believe that our business must be run at an adequate profit and that the services and products we offer must be better than those offered by our competitors. We believe that our business must provide stability of employment and job security for all those who depend on our company for their livelihood.
         a.    Nonargument.
         b.    Argument; conclusion: We believe that our company must develop . . . our customers.
         c.    Argument; conclusion: We believe that our business must provide stability . . . livelihood.
         d.    Argument; conclusion: We believe that our business must be run at an adequate profit.
         e.    Argument; conclusion: We believe that the services and products we offer . . . competitors.
  • Another set of questions asks you to select the best answer out of five, with the following instruction: "The following question relates to identifying and evaluating inductive and deductive arguments. Select the best answer." The suggested answer will give you a mix of valid/invalid and sound/unsound (relevant to deductive), and strong/weak and cogent/uncogent (relevant to inductive). These questions correspond to Exercises 1.2-I, 1.4-I, I.4-II, and 1.4-III. [The summary on p. 48 indicates the scope of these questions, which test the ability to distinguish induction from deduction, and then determine the relevant category into which the example fits.]
      Here is an example of this type of question:
       
        The following question relates to identifying and evaluating inductive and deductive arguments. Select the best answer.
        Elizabeth Dole is both a woman and a Republican. Therefore, most women in this country must be Republicans.
         a.    Deductive, valid.
         b.    Inductive, strong.
         c.    Inductive, cogent.
         d.    Inductive, weak.
         e.    Deductive, invalid
Class Week #5: June 7-13
This week we begin the second unit of the course, which covers chapters 2-3. There will be one homework assignment for each chapter. The due-dates for the assignments are June 20 and 27.
Class Week #6: June 14-20
homework #3: Chapter 2 – "Language: Meaning and Definition"
homework #3 is available April 14, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #3 must be submitted in CengageNOW by June 20, 10:59 pm
chapter 2.1: "Varieties of Meaning" -- 1 homework assignment in CengageNOW
        exercise 2.1-III, numbers 3-11 in the book (2 points each = 18)
chapter 2.2: "The Intension and Extension of Terms" -- 4 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 2.2-I.1, right column in the book (1 point each = 11)
        exercise 2.2-I.2, last five in the book (1 point each = 5)
        exercise 2.2-I.4, d and e in the book (2 points each = 4)
        exercise 2.2-II, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 2.3: "Definitions and Their Purposes" -- 2 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 2.3-I, numbers 2-11 in the book (1 point each = 10)
        exercise 2.3-III, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 2.4: "Definitional Techniques" -- 2 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 2.4-I, numbers 2-15 in the book (1 point each = 14)
        exercise 2.4-III, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 2.5: "Criteria for Lexical Definitions" -- 1 homework assignment in CengageNOW
        exercise 2.5, numbers 2-9 in the book (1 point each = 8)
Class Week #7: June 21-27
homework #4: Chapter 3 – "Informal Fallacies"
homework #4 is available April 15, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #4 must be submitted in CengageNOW by June 27, 10:59 pm
chapter 3.1: "Fallacies in General" -- 1 homework assignment in CengageNOW
        exercise 3.1, numbers 1-5 in the book (1 point each = 5)
chapter 3.2: "Fallacies of Relevance" -- 2 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 3.2-I, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
        exercise 3.2-II, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 3.3: "Fallacies of Weak Induction" -- 3 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 3.3-I, numbers 1-9, 11-13 in the book (1 point each = 12)
        exercise 3.3-II, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
        exercise 3.3-III, numbers 1-3, 5-13 in the book (1 point each = 12)
chapter 3.4: "Fallacies of Presumption, Ambiguity, and Grammatical Analogy" -- 3 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 3.4-I, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
        exercise 3.4-II, numbers 1-15 in the book (1 point each = 15)
        exercise 3.4-III, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
Class Week #8: June 28 - July 4
take second examination

the exam will be available in WebCT from 8:00 am June 28 through 10:59 pm July 4
you are allowed one attempt, so make sure you're ready to take it before you open it
the time-limit is 88 minutes, and there is no password
examinations submitted by 10:59 pm on June 30 will receive 14 bonus points
or examinations submitted by 10:59 pm on July 2 will receive 7 bonus points
grades will be posted on July 5

The exam will consist of 50 questions: 25 of the questions will cover the content of the unit [13 questions on Chapter 2, and 12 questions on Chapter 3], and 25 of the questions will give you problems to solve [12 questions on Chapter 2, and 13 questions on Chapter 3. The first 40 questions will be worth 2 points each, and the last 10 questions will be worth 3 points each (providing a 10-point curve on the exam).

The content questions will mix Multiple-Choice and True-False. They will be drawn from the True-False questions in exercises we have worked, and the Pre-Test and Post-Test questions in CengageNOW. In considering the questions, you should identify (and remember) the correct answer, rather than the form of the question. For example, a true-false question in the source materials might become a multiple-choice question on the exam. The Pre-Test and Post-Test have many fill-in-the-blank questions, a form that will not be used on the exam. If you study the correct answers, the translation of such questions into true-false or multiple-choice should not pose a problem.

The problem questions will present examples you have not seen before. The following exercises indicate the type of learning outcomes you should be able to achieve:

  • Exercise 2.2-I -- distinguishing terms from nonterms, and distinguishing intension/connotation from extension/denotation [including recognizing increasing/decreasing intension and extension]
  • Exercise 2.3-I -- identifying the five types of definitions by functions they serve
  • Exercise 2.4-I -- distinguishing intensional definitions from extensional definitions, and identifying the subtypes of each
  • Exercise 2.5 -- knowing the rules for lexical definitions [which will be identified by a short description -- rather than by number -- on the exam]
  • The Exercises in 3.2 through 3.4 -- recognizing informal fallacies by name (note that all the fallacies are summarized on pp. 158-159 of the textbook)
Class Week #9: July 5-11
This week we begin the third unit of the course, which covers chapters 4-5 on categorical propositions/syllogisms and some related forms of immediate inferences. There will be two homework assignments for chapter 4, and one homework assignment for chapter 5. The due-dates for the assignments are July 18 and 25, and August 1.
Class Week #10: July 12-18
homework #5: Chapter 4 – "Categorical Propositions," part one
homework #5 on chapter 4, sections 1-3 is available April 16, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #5 must be submitted in CengageNOW by July 18, 10:59 pm
chapter 4.1: "The Components of Categorical Propositions" -- 1 homework assignment in CengageNOW
        exercise 4.1, numbers 1-8 in the book (3 points each = 24) {note: for some reason, in #3 you have to fill the spaces between the components to get a "correct" answer}
chapter 4.2: "Quality, Quantity, and Distribution" -- 4 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 4.2-I, numbers 1-8 in the book (3 points each = 24)
        exercise 4.2-II, numbers 1-4 in the book (1 point each = 4)
        exercise 4.2-III, numbers 1-4 in the book (1 point each each = 4)
        exercise 4.2-IV, numbers 1-4 in the book (1 point each each = 4)
chapter 4.3: "Venn Diagrams and the Modern Square of Opposition" -- 1 homework assignment in CengageNOW
        exercise 4.3-I, numbers 1-8 in the book (2 points each = 16)
        exercise 4.3-II, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
        exercise 4.3-III, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
Class Week #11: July 19-25
homework #6: Chapter 4 – "Categorical Propositions," part two
homework #6 on chapter 4, sections 4-6, is available April 17, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #6 must be submitted in CengageNOW by July 25, 10:59 pm
chapter 4.4: "Conversion, Obversion, and Contraposition" -- 3 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 4.4-I, numbers 2-5, 8-11 in the book (2 points each = 16)
        exercise 4.4-II, numbers 1-3 (all parts) in the book (1 point each = 12)
        exercise 4.4-III, numbers 1-12 in the book (1 point each = 12)
chapter 4.5: "The Traditional Square of Opposition" -- 4 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 4.5-I, numbers 2-7 in the book (2 points each = 12)
        exercise 4.5-II, numbers 2-9 in the book (1 point each = 8)
        exercise 4.5-III, numbers 1-4, 11-14 in the book (1 point each = 8)
        exercise 4.5-IV, numbers 1-8 in the book (1 point each = 8)
chapter 4.6: "Venn Diagrams and the Traditional Standpoint" -- 2 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 4.6-I, numbers 1-9 in the book (1 point each = 9)
        exercise 4.6-II, numbers 1-15 in the book (1 point each = 15)
Class Week #12: July 26 - August 1
homework #7: Chapter 5 – "Categorical Syllogisms"
homework #7 is available April 18, 8:00 am
to receive credit, homework #7 must be submitted in CengageNOW by August 1, 10:59 pm
chapter 5.1: "Standard Form, Mood, and Figure" -- 5 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 5.1-I, numbers 1-4 in the book (2 points each = 8)
        exercise 5.1-II, numbers 2-9 in the book (1 point each = 8)
        exercise 5.1-III, numbers 2-9 in the book (1 point each = 8)
        exercise 5.1-IV, numbers 1-3 in the book (2 points each = 6)
        exercise 5.1-V, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 5.2: "Venn Diagrams" -- 3 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 5.2-I, numbers 11-16 in the book (2 points each = 12)
        exercise 5.2-II, numbers 1-6 in the book (2 points each = 12)
        exercise 5.2-III, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
chapter 5.3: "Rules and Fallacies" -- 3 homework assignments in CengageNOW
        exercise 5.3-I, numbers 1-8 in the book (1 point each = 8)
        exercise 5.3-II, numbers 1-2, 4-9 in the book (1 point each = 8)
        exercise 5.3-III, numbers 1-10 in the book (1 point each = 10)
Class Week #13: August 2-8
take third examination

the exam will be available in WebCT from 8:00 am August 2 through 10:59 pm August 8
you are allowed one attempt, so make sure you're ready to take it before you open it
the time-limit is 88 minutes
examinations submitted by 10:59 pm on August 4 will receive 14 bonus points
or examinations submitted by 10:59 pm on August 6 will receive 7 bonus points
grades will be posted on August 9

The exam will consist of 50 questions: 25 of the questions will cover the content of the unit [13 questions on Chapter 4, and 12 questions on Chapter 5], and 25 of the questions will give you problems to solve [13 questions on Chapter 4, and 12 questions on Chapter 5. The first 40 questions will be worth 2 points each, and the last 10 questions will be worth 3 points each (providing a 10-point curve on the exam).

The content questions will mix Multiple-Choice and True-False. They will be drawn from the True-False questions in exercises we have worked, and the Pre-Test and Post-Test questions in CengageNOW. In considering the questions, you should identify (and remember) the correct answer, rather than the form of the question. For example, a true-false question in the source materials might become a multiple-choice question on the exam. The Pre-Test and Post-Test have many fill-in-the-blank questions, a form that will not be used on the exam. If you study the correct answers, the translation of such questions into true-false or multiple-choice should not pose a problem.

The problem questions will present examples you have not seen before. The following exercises indicate the type of learning outcomes you should be able to achieve:

  • Exercise 4.1 -- analyzing standard-form categorical propositions
  • Exercise 4.2-I -- identifying the letter name, quantity, and quality of categorical propositions
  • Exercises 4.2-II-IV -- changing the quantity and quality of categorical propositions
  • Exercises 4.3-II and  4.5-I-IV -- ecognizing/performing the inferences supported by the Modern and Traditional Squares of Opposition; and identifying truth-values of resulting statements and determining the validity of arguments
  • Exercises 4.4-I-III -- recognizing/performing the operations of Conversion, Obversion, and Contraposition; and identifying truth-values of resulting statements and determining the validity of arguments
  • Exercise 4.7-I -- translating ordinary language statements into categorical form
  • Exercise 5.1-II -- translating syllogisms into standard form, so that the major premise, minor premise, and conclusion can be recognized
  • Exercise 5.3-II -- applying the rules to two premises to determine if a conclusion can be validly drawn (that is, "Given the following two premises what, if any, conclusion can be validly drawn?)