Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/15/2024
Top Code	150900 - Philosophy
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 1B Critical Thinking (1B)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 1B Critical Thinking (1B)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU A3 Critical Thinking (A3)

Course Description

This course will delve into logic and critical analysis through writing. Topics to be covered include the uses of language, distinctions between deductive and inductive reasoning, formal logical methods, and practice in detecting formal and informal fallacies. Tools will be developed for distinguishing between and evaluating beliefs, opinions, claims, explanations, and arguments. Throughout a strong emphasis is placed on instruction in writing which models the critical thinking and logical skills examined in the course. PREREQUISITE: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: ENGL 105. C-ID: ENGL 105.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Course Outcomes
2. Compose structured analytical and argumentative prose absent disruptive errors in English grammar, usage, and punctuation, and that are free of formal and informal fallacies.
3. Employ methodologies of deductive formal logical systems.
4. Employ methods of inductive argumentation.
5. Analyze ordinary language and philosophical arguments for formal and informal fallacies

Course Objectives

• 1. Explain the structure of deductive argumentation and competence in some methods of formal logic.
• 2. Evaluate and generate the elements of various types of arguments, especially inductive and deductive.
• 3. Write an argumentative paper with formatting, persuasive reasoning, valid logical structure, and a sensitivity to the relevant objections to the arguments presented.
• 4. Evaluate one's own system of beliefs, assumptions, inferences, and justifications using the methods of critical reasoning.

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Lecture Content

Introduction - The nature of logic Deduction - Common argument forms modus ponens modus tollens disjunctive syllogism hypothetical syllogism formal fallacies Arguments in ordinary language Distinguishing deductive and inductive arguments: validity and soundness invalidity and unsoundness (deduction) cogency and strength (induction) truth and its role in argumentation distinction of proof from verification--certainty and probability Deduction - The sentential calculus sentences and symbols logical connectives statement forms and argument forms truth tables deductive inferences and proof methods Writing critical essays for critical thinking At least two refined critical essays assigned Instruction in essay writing in critical thinking including a developmental process taking students through a series of steps to develop essential skills for writing the essay Diagramming technique for representing general structure of an argument Language: meaning and definition Cognitive and emotive meaning Functions of language: language games Definitions: types and purpose Techniques of defining Criteria for framing definitions Fallacies: mistakes in reasoning Classification of fallacies Fallacies of evidence Fallacies of weak induction Fallacies of ambiguity and grammatical analogy The detection of fallacies in ordinary language ambiguity distinguished from vagueness introduction of linguistic concepts of semantics and syntax introduction to types of meaning change that can generate ambiguity Inductive arguments Analogy Moral reasoning Legal reasoning Statistical reasoning Causality and scientific reasoning

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

Textbook readings, philosophical essays, periodicals.

Writing Assignments

The student will demonstrate the development of writing skills for analytical and argumentative prose through at least two sets of critical thinking written assignments, as well as essays written during class or online. A total of at least 5,000 words in substantial essay assignments (not including revisions) will be required of each student. Written work will be evaluated for both content and form.

Out-of-class Assignments

Writing assignments, discussions, quizzes, online assessments.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Assess deductive and inductive arguments Analyze philosophical arguments; identify premises and conclusions Evaluate philosophical arguments Distinguish arguments from non-arguments Understand deductive inferences and proofs Identify and analyze informal fallacies Writing assignments free of formal and informal fallacies, demonstrating the ability to critically analyze, evaluate, and advocate ideas on important issues. Diagram and formally organize arguments that have been previously presented in prose or oral form.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

The student will demonstrate the development of writing skills for analytical and argumentative prose through at least two sets of critical thinking written assignments, as well as essays written during class and online. A total of at least 5,000 words in substantial essay assignments (not including revisions) will be required of each student. Written work will be evaluated for both content and form. Students will also have to demonstrate competency in evaluating arguments using truth tables and natural deductions.

Eligible Disciplines

Philosophy: Master's degree in philosophy OR bachelor's degree in philosophy AND master's degree in humanities or religious studies, OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Levin, N., & Sheley, J.. Critical Reasoning and Writing: An Open Educational Resource, 2.0 ed. NGE Far Press, 2024 2. Required Korman, D.Z.. Learning from Arguments: An Introduction to Philosophy, 1.0 ed. London, Ontario, Canada: PhilPapers Foundation, 2022

Other Resources

1. Selections from primary sources (Open Educational Resources)