Logic and Reasoning HUM202 

Quarter Two 2009

Syllabus

 

Instructor:  William S. Jamison  

Web page: http://www.chartercollege.edu/jamison/ or email: wjamison@chartercollege.edu

Meeting Time and Place: Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:10 PM Room 229

Required Text:

Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life by Howard Kahane and Nancy M. Cavender (Paperback - Mar 2, 2005)

Course Description:

A study of the principles of good and orderly reasoning.  Students learn to avoid fallacious reasoning and evaluate the rhetoric of others when dealing with everyday problems.  Topics include: claims, arguments, evaluation, cogency, cognitive and emotive meanings, and evaluating advertising.  Lecture 4.35 quarter hours. 

Prerequisites:

Written Communication (ENG100) and Oral Communication (ENG101)

Course Objectives:

·         Identify the components and the structure of arguments

·         Recognize impediments to clear reasoning

·         Invent arguments and tailor them to specific descriptions

·         Evaluate an argument to determine whether it is cogent or fallacious

·         Create valid arguments concerning social and political issues

Information Literacy Assignment:

All students complete an assignment aimed to enhance understanding of the instruments available to access information; and to promote the efficient, ethical, and effective use of that information. The information literacy assignment may be a single assignment or included as a component of a course project.

Notice to Students with Disabilities:

Students who have a disability that requires accommodation should contact their Academic Associate to complete a Request for Accommodation Plan.

Grading:

            Dialogue Participation                 25%                  A = 90 - 100%

          Library Project                           25%                  B = 80 -   89%

          Daily Quizzes                             25%                  C = 70 -   79%

          Tests                                        25%                  D = 60 -   69%

                                                          100%                  F = Below 60%

Attendance:

Regular attendance is expected.  If students miss a class, they are responsible for finding out what they missed.  Students should also call the office (277-1000) to report their absence.  If students know in advance that they will be absent, they should inform their instructor.

Class Schedule

Week                           Topics   

 1  Introduction to the course: Bill Cosby as "Himself": Bill Cosby, Himself by Bill Cosby, Joseph Wilcots, Ken Johnson, and Steve Livingston -- I will start by discussing humor and the nature of logic. Why are jokes funny?

This lecture includes an introduction to the course and description of course requirements. We will briefly discuss the purpose of logic, and what the dialogue, tests and quizzes will be like.

• Claims and Arguments

• Argument Structure

• Cogent versus fallacious reasoning

2 Evaluating an Argument for Cogency        

•  Background beliefs

• World views

3 Fallacious Reasoning

•  Questionable premises

•  Suppressed evidence

4 Fallacious Reasoning Continued

• Invalid inferences

5 Mid-term Exam

• Non-rational impediments to cogent reasoning

6 The Power of Language

•  Cognitive and emotive meanings

•  Rhetorical devices

•  Linguistic revolution

7 Evaluating Arguments

8 Evaluating Advertising

•  Gimmicks and devices employed in advertising

•  Commercial vs. political advertising

9 Evaluating the Mass Media

Research Assignment due

10 Student Presentations

Final Exam