MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Logic

Course: PHI103

First Term: 2011 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Course Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Informal logic, logical fallacies, elementary symbolic logic, analysis of argument forms, and construction of proofs for validity

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Distinguish between validity and soundness of arguments. (I) 2. Extract the logical structure of a statement or an argument and use as a basis for logical evaluation. (II) 3. Identify common argument forms underlying ordinary language discourse. (III) 4. Assess the strength and credibility of claims made in ordinary language. (IV) 5. Identify and evaluate common fallacies in ordinary language and/or formal reasoning. (V) 6. Restate a statement or an argument in equivalent form. (VI) 7. Use truth tables or truth trees to evaluate arguments. (VII) 8. Apply the rules and methods of traditional and/or symbolic logic to translate, analyze, and evaluate statements and arguments. (VIII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. The nature of logic A. Definition B. Validity C. Soundness II. Logical structures A. Statement forms B. Argument forms III. Common argument forms A. Identifying arguments in ordinary language B. Determining the underlying structure IV. Strength and credibility of claims A. Analyzing ordinary language B. Determining the strength of a claim C. Determining the credibility of a claim V. Common fallacies A. In ordinary language B. In formal logic VI. Equivalencies A. Restating statements B. Restating arguments VII. Truth tables/truth trees VIII. Rules and methods for logical analysis A. Traditional logic 1. Translation techniques 2. Methods of analysis 3. Evaluation techniques B. Symbolic logic 1. Translation techniques 2. Methods of analysis 3. Evaluation techniques

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 3/24/1998

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.