2. Course Description: (as in the university bulletin):

This course emphasizes the development of thinking skills, especially with regard to skills dealing with problems in everyday life. It includes meaning and definition, identification and reconstruction of arguments, evaluations of arguments, identification of fallacies, and writing argumentative papers. Course Objective: ((a) To familiarize the student with techniques in identifying faulty reasoning and (b) To foster deep and critical thinking about everyday issues.

3. Required Text/Materials:

Whyte, J. 2004. Crimes Against Logic, NY, McGraw-Hill (Required). Copi, I & Cohen, C. 2005. Introduction to Logic 12th ed., Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall. (Supplement: Not Required).

4. Student Learning Outcomes (What student should be able to do at the end of course): Define critical thinking. Define argument. Distinguish between premises and conclusion. Identify fallacies. Apply critical thinking techniques. Students should be able to: (a) Recognize the parts of an argument. (b) Distinguish real arguments from mere explanations. (c) Understand the difference between deductive and inductive arguments. (d) Examine the relations between true propositions and the validity of deductive arguments. (e) Diagram complex arguments. (f) Use a matrix to help solve complex logical problems. (g) Use retrograde reasoning to reason backward to an earlier situation. (h) Determine what is wrong with an argument. (i) Distinguish between different kinds of fallacies. (j) Detect fallacies in arguments.

Course SLO	Program SLO	Core SLO	Direct and Indirect Assessment Measures
1. Define critical thinking.	Interpret and appraise major texts and philosophical systems in the history of philosophy. (Program SLO 5)	Apply information literacy/research skills to assist their systematic process of critical thought; articulating the problem; gather information from multiple sources and venues; evaluating the accuracy/thoroughness/timeliness of the collected data, and determining when/if the problem has been satisfactorily resolved (Core SLO 3).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports
2. Define argument.	Critically evaluate arguments and claims in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts. (Program SLO 3)	Apply information literacy/research skills to assist their systematic process of critical thought; articulating the problem; gather information from multiple sources and venues; evaluating the accuracy/thoroughness/timeliness of the collected data, and determining when/if the problem has been satisfactorily resolved (Core SLO 3).	Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation
3. Distinguish between premises and conclusion.	Analyze philosophical and logical problems. (Program SLO 1)	Apply information literacy/research skills to assist their systematic process of critical thought; articulating the problem; gather information from multiple sources and venues; evaluating the accuracy/thoroughness/timeliness of the collected data, and determining when/if the problem has been satisfactorily resolved (Core SLO 3).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation
4. Identify fallacies.	Apply philosophical theories and normative principles to current events and broader issues pertaining to the individual and society. (Program SLO 4)	Think critically via classifying, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, hypothesizing, synthesizing, extrapolating and evaluating ideas (Core SLO 2).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation
5. Apply critical thinking techniques.	Create clear and cogent oral and written presentations. (Program SLO 2)	Think critically via classifying, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, hypothesizing, synthesizing, extrapolating and evaluating ideas (Core SLO 2).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation

5. Schedule of Learning Opportunities (Assignments):

Day	Date	Discussion Topic/Learning Opportunities
Wed	01/11/2012	Read handout on Logic, Propositions and Arguments before this class.
Fri	01/13/2012	Read handout on Deductive and Inductive before this class.
Mon	01/16/2012	NO CLASS: MLK Day.
Wed	01/18/2012	Read handout on Validity and Truth before this class.
Fri	01/20/2012	Read handout on Recognizing Arguments before this class.
Mon	01/23/2012	Discussion
Wed	01/25/2012	Classwork 1: Quiz on Text and Classes.
Fri	01/27/2012	Read handout on Fallacies I before this class.
Mon	01/30/2012	Read handout on Fallacies II before this class.
Wed	02/01/2012	Read handout on Fallacies III before this class.
Fri	02/03/2012	Discussion
Mon	02/06/2012	Classwork 2: Quiz on Text and Classes.
Wed	02/08/2012	Read handout on Fallacies IV before this class.
Fri	02/10/2012	Discussion
Mon	02/13/2012	Read handout on Fallacies V before this class.
Wed	02/15/2012	Discussion
Fri	02/17/2012	Read Whyte: The right to your opinion pp. 1-10 before this class.
Mon	02/20/2012	Discussion
Wed	02/22/2012	Comprehensive Midterm Exam
Fri	02/24/2012	NO CLASS: Midterm Break.
Mon	02/27/2012	Discussion
Wed	02/29/2012	Read Whyte: Motives pp. 11-18 before this class.
Fri	03/02/2012	Read Whyte: Authority pp. 19-30 before this class.
Mon	03/05/2012	Discussion
Wed	03/07/2012	Classwork 3: Quiz on Text and Classes
Fri	03/09/2012	Discussion
Mon	03/12/2012	Read Whyte: Prejudice in fancy dress pp. 31-50 before this class.
Wed	03/14/2012	Read Whyte: Shut up! pp. 5 1-62 before this class.
Fri	03/16/2012	Read Whyte: Empty words pp. 63-82 before this class.
Mon	03/19/2012	Classwork 4: Quiz on Text and Classes
Wed	03/21/2012	Read Whyte: Inconsistency pp. 83-96 before this class.
Fri	03/23/2012	Read Whyte: Equivocation pp. 97-106 before this class.
Mon	03/26/2012	Read Whyte: Begging the question pp. 107-116 before this class.
Wed	03/28/2012	Read Whyte: Coincidence pp. 117-132 before this class.
Fri	03/30/2012	Classwork 5: Quiz on Text and Classes
Mon	04/02/2012	Read Whyte: Shocking statistics pp. 133-146 before this class.
Wed	04/04/2012	Discussion
Fri	04/06/2012	Easter -- NO CLASS.
Mon	04/09/2012	Read Whyte: Morality fever pp. 147-157 before this class.
Wed	04/11/2012	Read 44 Foul Ways to Win an Argument - Handout before this class.
Fri	04/13/2012	Review.
T-F	4/17-4/20/12	Final Exam may be on Friday 4/20/12 at 6 pm. See Registrar's Exam Schedule. You cannot take it earlier than scheduled or with another class.

6. Calculation of Final Grades:

Mid-term grade will be determined by a mid-term exam and semester grade determined by final examination (50%), midterm exam (30%), term paper comparing and evaluating any three of the readings listed on the syllabus, not just from the textbook, and applying those readings to a current event that took place this year (10%) and class participation/presentation (10%) minus absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation -- unless stated otherwise on supplementary details. Unless you officially withdraw or formally request an incomplete (in writing) and submit appropriate documentation before the end of the semester, you will receive a passing or failing grade based on performance and attendance. Grading Scale: A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F=59-0 or for difficult exams A=100-80%, B=70-60%, C=50-40%, D=30-20%, F=10-0%. (+/- determined by curve.)

7. Attendance Policy:

Lincoln University uses the method of teaching, which assumes that each student has something to contribute and something to gain by attending class. It further assumes that there is much more instruction absorbed in the classroom than can be tested on examinations. Therefore, students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class meetings and should exhibit good faith in this regard. For the control of absences, the faculty adopted the following regulations: 1. Four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course. 2. Three tardy arrivals may be counted as one absence. 3. Absences will be counted starting with whatever day is specified by the instructor but not later than the deadline for adding or dropping courses. 4. In case of illness, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances, the student must present documented evidence of inability to attend classes to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. However, in such cases the student is responsible for all work missed during those absences. 5. Departments offering courses with less than full-course credit will develop and submit to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management a class attendance policy in keeping with the above. 6. Students representing the University in athletic events or other University sanctioned activities will be excused from class with the responsibility of making up all work and examinations. The Registrar will issue the excused format to the faculty member in charge of the off- or on-campus activity for delivery by the student(s) to their instructors. Save your documents or ‘excuses’ and submit copies to your instructor at the end of the semester.

8. Students with Disabilities Statement:

Lincoln University is committed to non-discrimination of students with disabilities and therefore ensures that they have equal access to higher education, programs, activities, and services in order to achieve full participation and integration into the University. In keeping with the philosophies of the mission and vision of the University, the Office of Student Support Services, through the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Program, provides an array of support services and reasonable accommodations for students with special needs and/or disabilities as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Services for Students with Disabilities Program seeks to promote awareness and a campus environment in which accommodating students with special needs and/or disabilities is natural extension of the University’s goal.

9. University Academic Integrity Statement:

Students are responsible for proper conduct and integrity in all of their scholastic work. They must follow a professor's instructions when completing tests, homework, and laboratory reports, and must ask for clarification if the instructions are not clear. In general, students should not give or receive aid when taking exams, or exceed the time limitations specified by the professor. In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Honesty in the classroom and in the preparation of papers is therefore expected of all students. Each student has the responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own. All of this work must be done in accordance with established principles of academic integrity. 1. Acts of Academic Dishonesty (Cheating): Specific violations of this responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following: * Copying, offering and/or receiving unauthorized assistance or information in examinations, tests, quizzes; in the writing of reports, assigned papers, or special assignments, as in computer programming; and in the preparation of creative works (i.e. music, studio work, art). * The fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports. * The use of unauthorized materials and/or persons during testing. * The unauthorized possession of tests or examinations. * The physical theft, duplication, unauthorized distribution, use or sale of tests, examinations, papers, or computer programs. * Any action which destroys or alters the work of another student. * Tampering with grades, grade books or otherwise attempting to alter grades assigned by the instructor. * The multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without the prior written permission of each instructor. 2. Plagiarism: If a student represents "another person's ideas or scholarship as his/her own," that student is committing an act of plagiarism. The most common form of plagiarism among college students is the unintentional use of others' published ideas in their own work, and representing these ideas as their own by neglecting to acknowledge the sources of such materials. Plagiarism includes downloads, copies and purchase of papers and essays from the internet. Students are expected to cite all sources used in the preparation of written work, including examinations. It is each student's responsibility to find out exactly what each of his/her professors expects in terms of acknowledging sources of information on papers, exams, and assignments. It is the responsibility of each faculty person to state clearly in the syllabus for the course all expectations pertaining to academic integrity and plagiarism. 3. Sanctions: A: Warning - A written notice that repetitions of misconduct will result in more severe disciplinary action. The warning becomes part of the student's file in the Office of the Registrar and, if there is no other example of misconduct, is removed at the time of graduation. B: Failure for project (exam, paper, experiment). C: Failure of course. For serious and repeat offenses, the University reserves the right to suspend or expel. Imposition of Sanctions: First Offense - A and/or B. Second and Subsequent offenses - B or C. Students failing a course because of an instance of academic dishonesty may not drop the course. The student may appeal a charge of academic dishonesty within ten days of receiving notice of same. The appeal will be heard by an Academic Hearing Board (AHB) consisting of the chairs of each division of study (or their designees). Files on violations of this academic integrity code will be kept in the Office of the Registrar.

10. Standards of Classroom Behavior (from Lincoln University Student Handbook):

The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class for the remainder of the class period. The faculty member should, in the event such action is necessary, immediately report the incident to the chair of their department and the Dean of Students. Cell phones are not to be used in the classroom during instructional time. Cell phones that ring and/or answered during classroom instruction are subject to confiscation by the Professor. Confiscated cell phones will be turned over to the Dean of Students.

11. Miscellaneous Expectations: (a) Classwork consists of in-class quizzes for which there is no make-up. If your name is not printed in capital letters throughout or your cell phone rings or is used in class, half-a-point (5%) or more will be taken off your final grade or score. When graded, papers or quizzes will be distributed at the end (not the beginning) of class. You are required to save all your quizzes and papers. If your attendance and participation are excellent, you may petition to use your classworks in place of your final exam. If you leave in the middle of a quiz or exam, for whatever reason, you will have to answer a different set of questions when you return. (b) Papers: All papers should explain the main question and evaluate the arguments on all sides and be submitted in both electronic and hard copies (i.e. printed on paper and also sent as e-mail). Papers should be typed and accompanied by an abstract (summary of main points, facts and arguments) and bibliography. Use "Save As" to save you paper as plain text and attach it to your e-mail with Philosophy in the subject line. E-mail attachments (in Microsoft Word or Works or WordPerfect or compressed or zipped) which are not in plain text (i.e. txt format) are unacceptable. Late extra-credit papers won't be accepted. Late required papers will be dropped by 1 letter grade. (c) Attendance: Signing the attendance sheet for someone else or missing a class, for whatever reason, may cost you up to 5% on your final grade for each occurrence. According to University regulations, 4 absences may result in a failure and 3 tardy arrivals or departures may count as an absence. (d) Extra-Credit: Extra-credit papers, if permitted, should be on an assigned project (see website), due in class on the day of the last quiz, and count as one quiz. At best, 3 philosophy club meetings (you must participate and sign attendance) or a class-presentation (which is an oral critique of a reading/topic, not used for paper, with a written abstract), if permitted, will push 1 classwork up by 1 letter grade.

12. Class/Course Website: http://www.lincoln.edu/philosophy/kwame/teachast.htm or https://philosophydepartment.tripod.com/ or http://www.kwame.50webs.com/ or http://kwame.atspace.com/ D2L: http://www.lincoln.edu/d2l/ To check your grade on the computer or internet, go to any one of the websites listed above and follow the instructions there. Note that some of the websites may be down and not updated.

13. How to Check and Monitor Your Grade in This Class

Your semester grade will be determined by your class participation, mid-term examination, final examination and paper, if any, minus absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation. Note that students are expected to attend classes regularly and participate in class discussions. Points are taken off for absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation. Extra-credits, if available for this particular class or course (check syllabus), are applied to your mid-term or final examination grade or score. See details and percentages, above, in section on Calculation of Final Grades.

14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

(a) Do I need the textbook? Answer: Yes. Class discussion, quizzes, tests and examinations are based on the readings from the textbook.

(b) How can I get a good grade in this class? Answer: You will have to attend classes regularly, do all of the readings and show that you understand them and can apply them. Reading the textbook is necessary. There is no substitute for reading the textbook yourself, however difficulty it may be; but it is not sufficient.

(c) What is your policy on the use of personal technology in the classroom? Answer: All kinds of phones are banned. The use of phones – whether cell phones, smart phones, iphones, head phones or ear phones – can fail you in this class. Neither of them should be on your desk, hand or ears during classes, quizzes, tests or examinations.

(d) What is your policy on attendance? Answer: I strictly enforce the university policy (i) Four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course. (ii) Students representing the University in athletic events or other University sanctioned activities will be excused from class with the responsibility of making up all work and examinations. (iii) All absences are listed as unexcused and may appear in Grades-First and elsewhere as such, until they are verified at the end of the semester.

(e) May I borrow your textbook? Answer: No. My textbook has personal and private information which may not be shared with students.

(f) May I have copies of your powerpoint? Answer: No. My powerpoint contains a lot of material taken directly from the textbook. Copyright laws allow the use of copyrighted material for use in the classroom, but prohibit making copies to avoid the purchase of a textbook or consumable material.

(g) How can I improve my grade on your quizzes, tests and examinations? Answer: While the answers to my questions are usually found in the readings, in order to avoid unnecessary disputes about the answers and grades, my quizzes, tests and examinations are deliberately set to get you to think deeply and critically. To do well on them, you will have to understand the readings rather than memorize them. They assume that one cannot and should not memorize all of the readings and that, if one understands the readings very well and thinks carefully about the questions and answers, one can answer most of the questions, however they are worded or arranged.

(h) Why is our textbook so boring? Answer: This is a typical college textbook for adults with primary sources. These days, many textbook are modeled on children’s textbooks to include colors and pictures and hence are not challenging and, often, are inappropriate as college textbooks. Further, you need to distinguish between primary sources which are original material from classics and secondary sources which are other people’s opinions of the classics or original works and, as such, are interpretations or second-hand material.

(i) Why are your classes boring? Answer: Do not confuse education with entertainment. Professors are educators and not comedians or entertainers. While some of them may be funny or entertaining, depending on their style or presentation, that is not their job or function. There are cheaper ways of getting entertained than going to college.

15. Absence and Excuses Form. See below:

ABSENCE AND EXCUSES FORM. Which absences do you want to be excused and why?

Name: ____________________________ Class: _____________________________

No.	Date of Absence	Reason for Absence	Document Attached
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8.