Syllabus
Philosophy 103 –
Critical Thinking
Fall 2009 (8/19 – 12/19)
Section BA CRN 88069
MWF 9:10–10:00am Room 14-102
Robert Schwartz
Robert’s web page:
http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/schwartzr
Email: phil103_88069@jungleboy.com
Email: schwartzr@smccd.edu
Class web page:
http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/schwartzr/phil103/phil103.htm
This
class is designed as a lower division class and will focus on basic reasoning
skills. Critical thinking requires careful analysis of language and the
conditions for accepting, rejecting, or suspending judgment on a claim. This course develops logical and
analytical skills by explaining what makes strong and not-so-strong arguments,
by teaching you logic skills, and by providing practice with real and
hypothetical issues.
The
skills developed here should make you more able to see through faulty reasoning
used in manipulative proposals and sales pitches, political campaigns, and in
the personal politics we are all engaged in with family, friends and
co-workers. It should also help
you question and rethink concepts you have taken for granted.
In
the first half of the course, you’ll learn the characteristics of the most
common informal logic errors people make in everyday written and spoken statements,
and through practice you’ll learn to recognize and avoid making these errors
yourselves. In the second half of
the course, you’ll learn the most basic principles of formal and symbolic
logic, and you’ll learn techniques for using them to evaluate the logical
quality of written and spoken statements.
Critical
Thinking (Paperback) by Brooke Noel Moore, Richard Parker, McGraw-Hill, 9th
edition
Class
Participation: 20% *
|
Participation
in class discussions is equally important (5% of your grade). |
Quizzes: 40%
|
Quizzes
(4) are online in Web Access through a Web Access-capable computer. (You can always use a library PC.) |
Mid-term exam: 20%
|
Long
answer (essays), closed book, in class
|
Final exam: 20%
|
Long
answer (essays), closed book, in class |
*
Disrupting the class is negative participation and will reduce your Class
Participation score.
Expectations
Reading & Understanding: The course follows the required text closely. You are expected to complete all
assigned readings on time. You are expected to understand and remember what
you’ve read, to apply principles you learn to various situations, and to
demonstrate all this in class discussions and on quizzes and exams.
Online Access: You are expected to learn to use Web Access for
taking online quizzes. You will
need to provide WebAccess with a working email address and check for messages
there regularly.
Seeking Help: You are expected to seek help when you need it. Ask questions in class. Talk with your
classmates. Use the web. Since my classes follow one right after
another, I have very little time to speak with you right after class, so please
make use of my office hours, email (preferred) or phone. Request an appointment
if you need more time.
Studying: In order to complete the readings and homework, and prepare
for quizzes and exams, you are strongly urged to put in an hour of work outside
class for every hour of classroom time.
Withdrawing: If you decide to withdraw from the class, you must
do this yourself before the deadline through Web Smart or through CSM’s
Admissions and Records office.
(Your instructor cannot do this for you.)