NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Introduction to Logic

Course Prefix & Number: 

PHIL2303

Section Number: 

 

Semester/Year:

FA 21

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to symbolic logic, including syllogisms, propositional and predicate logic, and logical proofs in a system of rules.

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required Course Materials:

Seay, Gary, and Susana Nuccetelli.  How to Think Logically.  2nd edition.  Pearson Publishing. 2012.   ISBN #978-0-205-15498-2

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Dr. Jack O’Connor

Campus/Office Location:

COR 337

Telephone Number:

940-498-6258

E-mail Address:

joconnor@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

TBA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

Determine the logical structure of English arguments by identifying premises and conclusions.

 

Understand basic concepts in logic, such as truth functionality, validity, soundness, counter-examples, tautology, self-contradiction, logical equivalence, logical contradictoriness, and logical consistence.

 

Translate English statements into propositional and/or predicate notation.

 

Determine the validity of symbolic propositional or predicate arguments using such methods as direct/indirect truth tables, natural deduction, and/or the finite universe method.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

 

Grading Policy:

You will be evaluated by tests and written assignments in this course.  The tests will be of three groups:  Quizzes, Unit Tests, and the Final Exam.  In addition, there will be three Written Assignments over Parts 2, 3, and 4 of the course.  The Quizzes are short 10 question objective (T/F, Multiple Choice) tests based on the exercises from the textbook for each chapter.  There will be 14 in number, of which 12 will count.  Thus, 2 of your lowest will be dropped.  The Unit Tests will be three in number and will be based, again, on exercises from the chapters in the text.  They will cover the Parts of the text and will be given over Parts 2, 3, and 4.  The Written Assignments will be based on each Part of the text and will be specific to the skills of those parts of the course.  They will be 3-4 page assignments, and each will have its particular expectations.  Finally, there will be a mandatory Final Exam given during Exam Week.

 

Quizzes –                         30%. (14 in number, 12 will count)

Unit Tests –                     30% (3 in number, all will count)

Written Assignments –    30% (3 in number, all will count)

Final Exam –                   10% (mandatory and comprehensive)

A=90-99, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=0-59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

Week 1:  Orientation to Course, and Part OneThe Building Blocks of Reasoning.  

                                   Text - Chapters 1-3 (p. 3-72)

Week 2:  Part Two – Reason and Argument.  Text – Chapter 4-5 (p.73-121)

Week 3:  Part Two continued.  Ch. 5-6 (p.94-144). Unit Test and Written Assignment

Week 4: Part ThreeInformal Fallacies. Ch. 7 (p.147-165)

Week 5:  Part Three continued.  Ch. 8 (p.166-186)

Week 6:  Part Three continued.  Ch. 9 (p.187-208)

Week 7:  Part Three continued.  Ch. 10 (p.209-266)

Week 8:  Part Three continued.  Unit Test and Written Assignment.

Week 9:  Part FourDeductive Reasoning.  Ch. 11 (p.229-260)

Week 10:  Part Four continued. Ch. 11

Week 11:  Part Four. Ch. 12 (p.261-292)

Week 12:  Ch. 12

Week 13:  Part Four. Ch. 13 (p. 293-329)

Week 14:  Ch.13

Week 15:  Part Four. Ch. 14 (p.330-363). Unit Test and Written Assignment

Week 16: Exams

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _______Nov 1________.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______       

 

o        Communication

o        Mathematics              

o        Life and Physical Science

X         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o        Creative Arts

 

o        Government/Political Science

o        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o        Component Area Option

o        American History

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

X          Critical Thinking

X                Communication

o             Empirical and Quantitative

 

o             Teamwork

X                Personal Responsibility

X                Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

X                Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

            Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Academic Integrity:  I believe that education serves a higher purpose and as such, I take plagiarism very seriously, and will penalize students who commit it with the full extent of NCTC policy.  I do not tolerate plagiarism because education is about “turning souls toward the truth,” as Plato explains in the Republic, and so my purpose is to open students to a higher truth.  Hence this course is a public service aimed at enlightening citizens in this republic.  Plagiarism disrespects this important mission.  I believe that the role of education is crucial to a free republic, and is about nurturing the intellect so that citizens can appreciate the Artes Liberalis (the arts of a freeperson). Thus education is about helping people to think beyond the practical and to make them aware of less obvious truths essential for a democracy; it is not something to be simply gotten through as easily as possible.  For this reason, scholastic dishonesty demonstrates that one does not care for the true value of education, but cares only for a grade, and is therefore cheating not only him or herself, but also the other students and the taxpayers of the State of Texas and Cook County who have provided the resources for students to be educated.  So, to discourage this fraudulent behavior, I will not hesitate to enforce all available consequences open to us in punishing instances of scholastic dishonesty.  You will receive a "1" (out of either 10 or 20) on the assignment in the first instance as a code for me to recognize, and I will submit a Scholastic Dishonesty Report Form (see the first module for the form) to inform the Registrar’s Office. 


Plagiarism is the appropriating of another person’s ideas or words without giving them credit.  Here is NCTC’s official definition: “Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.  Generally, in my courses, this has been copying and pasting passages from internet sources and submitting them in essays.  In this course I want you ONLY to use OUR TEXT.  You should not consult other sources except for supplemental purposes.  So, even if you do cite that places that you obtained passages from, and thereby do not plagiarize, I will still penalize the submission.  The point is this:  I want YOU to engage with the material, struggle with it, dialogue with me and others, and internalize the ideas so that YOUR mind grows.  I am not interested in your ability to google things.  In the same way that you cannot cheat your body by not doing the exercises that you are supposed to do, you cannot cheat your mind of its necessary exercises – to do so makes one weak, either physically or mentally.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 824

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Sara Flusche

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, 1300 Building, Room 1312

Telephone Number:

940-668-3351

E-mail Address:

sflusche@nctc.edu

 

COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2021

 

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.

 

Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

  • Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

  • Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
  • Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
  • Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
  • Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
  • Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
  • Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
  • Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

 

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