Philosophy 104: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking
Washburn University, Spring 2015
Overview:
People do many things with their minds, and then try to communicate those things to others. The first step in this process is known as reasoning, the second is often argument. There are many different ways to reason, and several ways to argue. Each method of reasoning is subject to its own criteria of quality. The same goes for each of the several methods of argumentation. By the end of this course, students should be able to recognize distinct methods of reasoning and communicating and apply standards of quality to evaluate examples of reasoning and argumentation. This is the most important general life skill that inhabitants of a democracy can possess.
Instructor information:
Dr. Brandon Gillette
Office: Garvey 233 (in the philosophy department office)
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 8:00-9:00 and by appointment.
Email: [email protected]
Note: Email is the best way to contact me. A distant second is the department mailbox. You may also talk to me or email to set up an appointment if you are unable to see me during office hours. If you know what my office phone extension is, that’s cool. If the phone in my office rings while I’m in my office, I’ll give it a surprised look and answer it apprehensively.
Course Website:
Information about the course as it progresses, notes, and the assignment schedule are available on the course website, which is: bgillette.com
Evaluation:
- 3 exams:
- Exam 1: 20% of the total grade
- Exam 2: 25% of the total grade
- Final Exam: 30% of the total grade
- 1 written assignment:
- Argument Analysis 15% of the total grade
- Homework completion: 10% of the total grade
Grading Scale:
The numerical scores corresponding with the letter grades will be as follows. When final scores are calculated, I will round to the nearest whole number.
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 F
Attendance:
I will keep track of attendance for my records. While there is not a grade specifically assigned to attendance, I will not accept exams, papers, or assignments outside of class (see Lateness/Make-Up policy below). Nearly all class periods will involve homework assignments, so a failure to attend regularly will manifest itself in the form of poor homework grades. Poor exam grades are also likely if you do not attend regularly. I do realize that, on occasion, some things are more important than class. I do not need to know what these things are in your individual cases unless some arrangements between us are necessary.
Lateness/Make-up Policy:
I realize that sometimes things happen that are out of your control. Make-up exams or homework will be permitted only under the appropriate circumstances at the discretion of the instructor, and may be offered for reduced credit. The earlier I am notified about an upcoming absence, the more likely it is that a make-up exam or quiz will be allowed. In the event that you know you will miss an exam day, you may be permitted to take an exam early, provided I am notified well in advance. Notifying me in advance of absences may also enable taking a quiz earlier or later. Documentation of medical-related absences is strongly encouraged.
Course Text:
The book is Understanding Arguments, Ninth Edition, Concise, by Robert Fogelin and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Cengage 2015). Please get this book as soon as possible if you have not already. The ISBN is 978-1-285-19739-5. The book is available at the University Book Store and elsewhere.
Important Dates:
No Class: March 17,19
Exam Dates: March 12, April 16, May 11
Paper Due: February 17
Last Class Day: May 8
Last day for Withdrawal: April 3
Mission of the University:
Washburn University enriches the lives of students by providing opportunities for them to develop and to realize their intellectual, academic, and professional potential, leading to becoming productive and responsible citizens. We are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarly work, quality academic and professional programs, and high levels of faculty-student interaction. We develop and engage in relationships to enhance educational experiences and our community. Washburn University Board of Regents, 2010
Definition of a Credit Hour:
For every credit hour awarded for an undergraduate course, the student is typically expected to complete approximately one hour of classroom instruction, online interaction with course material, or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two additional hours of student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.
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Washburn University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation/gender identity, genetic information, or other non-merit reasons, in University programs and activities, admissions, educational programs or activities, and employment, as required by applicable laws and regulations. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Pamela Foster, Equal Opportunity Director, Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66621, 785.670.1509, [email protected]
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All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and ethically in their academic work. Inappropriate and unethical behavior includes (but is not limited to) giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of papers or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of academic work. Washburn University’s Academic Impropriety Policy describes academically unethical behavior in greater detail and explains the actions that may be taken when such behavior occurs. For guidelines regarding protection of copyright, consult http://www.washburn.edu/copyright. For a complete copy of the Academic Impropriety Policy, contact the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center Suite 200, or go on-line to: http://www.washburn.edu/academic-impropriety.
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http://www.washburn.edu/health
WU Counseling Services
Licensed mental health professionals are available in the Counseling Services’ office for personal, academic, and mental health support. This is accomplished by providing a variety of counseling services as well as resources and referrals to students. More information can be found at http://www.washburn.edu/counseling
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The Student Services Office is responsible for assisting in arranging accommodations and for identifying resources on campus for persons with disabilities. Qualified students with disabilities must register with the office to be eligible for services. The office MUST have appropriate documentation on file in order to provide services. Accommodations may include in-class note takers, test readers and/or scribes, adaptive computer technology, brailled materials. Requests for accommodations should be submitted at least two months before services should begin; however, if you need an accommodation this semester, please contact the Student Services Office immediately.
Location: Student Services, Memorial Student Union/Mosiman Room (MOVED effective 1/6/2014)
Web: http://www.washburn.edu/student-services
Phone: 785-670-1629
E-Mail: [email protected]
Students may voluntarily identify themselves to the instructor for a referral to the Student Services Office.
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As a Washburn student, you may experience difficulty with issues such as studying, personal problems, time management, or choice of major, classes, or employment. The Center for Student Success (Office of Academic Advising, University Tutoring and Writing Center, First-Year Experience, and Testing and Assessment) is available to help students either directly through academic advising, mentoring, testing and developing learning strategies or by identifying the appropriate University resource. If you feel you need someone with whom to discuss an issue confidentially and free of charge, contact the center at 785-670-1942, [email protected], or visit Mabee Library, Room 201.
Withdrawal Policy:
During fall and spring semesters, students may go online and withdraw from full semester courses through the second week of class with no recorded grade. From the third through the eleventh week a “W” is recorded for any dropped course. After the eleventh week, there are NO withdrawals, and a grade will be assigned for the course. These deadlines will be different for short-term, out-of-sequence, or summer courses. To view the deadline dates for your courses visit the “Last Day” Deadlines web page at: https://www2-prod.washburn.edu/self-service/coursedates.php Depending on the timing of the request to withdraw from a course, students may be eligible for a full or partial refund. Information regarding tuition refunds is available at http://www.washburn.edu/current-students/business-office/tuition-refunds.html Please note: tuition refund amounts and deadlines are changing effective Fall 2014. In addition, depending on the timing of the request to withdraw from a course, students may be responsible for repaying all or a portion of their financial aid. Students who do not attend their courses and fail to officially withdraw themselves will receive a grade of “F” and may also be required to repay all or a portion of their financial aid based on their non-attendance. For further information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 785.670.1151 or e-mail [email protected].
Attendance/Administrative Withdrawal:
Although it is the student’s responsibility to initiate course withdrawals, an instructor, after due notice to the student, may request withdrawal of the student from a course because of nonattendance through the same date as the last day a student may withdraw from a course. This would NOT absolve the student of financial responsibility for tuition/fees for the course in question. The inclusion of this information in the course syllabus is considered due notice.
Official E-Mail Address:
Your Washburn University e-mail address will be the official address used by the University for relaying important messages regarding academic and financial information and the University will consider this your official notification for important information. It may also be used by your instructors to provide specific course information. If you prefer to use an alternate e-mail address to receive official University notices you can set a forwarding address in the Outlook Web App by following the steps below.
Outlook Web App: Set Forwarding Address
- Go to http://outlook.washburn.edu
- Sign in
- Click the Gear in the upper right
- Choose Options
- Select Forward your email from the list on the right
- In the lower portion of the screen, enter the email address to which you want to forward all your email.
- Click the start forwarding button
It is your responsibility to ensure that your official e-mail box does not exceed your message quota resulting in the inability of e-mail messages to be accepted into your mailbox.
Success Week:
Success Week for undergraduate students is designated as the five week days preceding the first day of scheduled final examinations each Fall and Spring semester. Success Week is intended to provide students ample opportunity to prepare for final examinations. For academic programs, the following guidelines apply:
- Faculty are encouraged to utilize Success Week as a time for review of course material
in preparation for the final examination. If an examination is to be given during Success Week, it must not be given in the last three days of Success Week unless approved by the Dean or Department Chair. Assignments worth no more than 10% of the final grade and covering no more than one-fourth of assigned reading material in the course may be given.
- Major course assignments (extensive research papers, projects, etc.) should be due on or before the
Friday prior to Success Week and should be assigned early in the semester. Any modifications to assignments should be made in a timely fashion to give students adequate time to complete the assignments.
- If major course assignments must be given during Success Week, they should be due in
the first three days of Success Week. Exceptions include class presentations by students and semester-long projects such as a project assignment in lieu of a final. Participation and attendance grades are acceptable.
The Success Week policy excludes make-up assignments, make-up tests, take-home final exams, and laboratory examinations. It also does not apply to classes meeting one day a week for more than one hour. All University laboratory classes are exempt from this policy.