Requirements

Phl 313Q:
Logic and Scientific Reasoning

Prof. R. Koons -- Fall 2001

MWF 1-2

Text:

Robert Koons, Deductive and Defeasible Reasoning(2001).

The text is available at Longhorn Copies, 26th and Guadalupe.

Instructional software:

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, developed by David Newman, Thore Karlsen, and Robert Koons.

Available on the web.

Requirements:

I. Homework (20%):

There are eight assignments. To receive credit for a homework assignment, you must score at least 80%. Each assignment may be repeated once. If you receive a score of less than 80% twice for a particular homework assignment, make an appointment to speak with Prof. Koons within one week of the resubmission deadline, and you will be given the chance to complete an alternate assignment. The homework grade for the class will be assigned by the following scale: 100% for 8, 90% for 7, 80% for 6, etc.

II. Logic Workshops and Class Participation (15%):

This part of the course grade consists of two components: logic workshops (10%), and class and section participation (5%). Each student shall make, as part of a group of 2-6, a presentation in a scheduled logic workshop. If time does not permit all of the scheduled presentations to be made in a class period, the remaining groups can make their presentations in discussion sections.

Attendance at Wednesday workshops will be taken periodically and counted toward the class participation requirement. Whenever attending class, please sit in your assigned seats. In addition, you should bring a photograph of yourself (approximately passport size, of your head and shoulders) within a week of the beginning of the semester.

III. In-class exams (15-30%)

Midterm exams will be given on Mon., Oct. 1, Fri., Nov. 2, and Fri., Dec. 7. If you elect to take the comprehensive final exam, the lowest of the three exam grades may be dropped.

IV. Term Project (20%):

A rough draft must be completed and turned in on or before November 20th. The final draft is due on the last day of class (Dec. 8).

V.Final Examination (0-15%)

A final exam will be given at the assigned period during the exam week. If you take this comprehensive exam, the final exam grade will count 15% toward your course grade, and you may drop the lowest of your three exam grades.

Homework Asssignment Due Dates

Assignment -- Due date -- Resubmit

  1. Propositional Logic: Sept. 14 -- Sept. 24
  2. Argument Analysis: Sept. 21 -- Oct. 1
  3. Modal & Defeasible Logic: Oct. 8 -- Oct. 19
  4. Defeasible Arguments: Oct. 15 -- Oct. 29
  5. Rebuttals Oct. 22 -- Nov. 5
  6. Proofs in Prop. Logic Nov. 9 -- Nov 19
  7. Predicate Logic Nov. 19 -- Dec. 7
  8. Proofs in Pred. Logic Nov. 30 -- X
Homework may be turned in early at any time. Late homework will not be accepted without substantiated medical excuse. Homework may be resubmitted only if (1) it was turned in on or before the first due date and received a grade of less than 80%, and (2) the resubmitted assignment is turned in on or before the resubmission date. An alternate assignment may be turned in only if the original assignment was turned in and resubmitted on time, in both cases receiving less than an 80% score, and one arranges an appointment with Prof. Koons within one week of the resubmission deadline.

Wednesday Logic Workshops.

Form a group and choose a week for your presentation of an argument analysis on the assigned topic. Attendance and participation at all workshops are mandatory.

Date --- Topic
Sept. 12: Puzzles, Brainteasers
Sept. 19: Detective Mysteries
Sept. 26: Sports, Music, Arts
Oct. 10: Opinion editorials
Oct. 17: Legal cases
Oct. 24: Historic Debates
Oct. 31: Religion
Nov. 7: Ethical dilemmas
Nov. 14: Science Experiments & Controversies

Last updated August 23, 2001
Created by: Robert C. Koons
Send comments to: rkoons@mail.utexas.edu

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