Syllabus
Philosophy 103 - Critical
Thinking
Spring 2011 (1/19 - 5/18)
Section AA CRN 39514
MW 12:10 - 1:30 pm Building 4 Room 274
Robert D. Schwartz
Robert’s web page: http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/schwartzr
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, transferrable to UC and CSU. It focuses on basic reasoning skills. Critical thinking (strong reasoning)
means using logic, language, and sense perception to know when you should
accept, reject, or suspend judgment on a claim or argument. This course develops analytical skills
by explaining what makes strong and not-so-strong claims and arguments, by
teaching you logic and language 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, 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 and forums.
(Attendance is 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 or during office
hours. Talk with your classmates.
Use the web. Request an appointment if you need more help.
Studying: In order to complete the readings and homework, and prepare
for quizzes and exams, you are strongly urged to put in at least 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.)