SYLLABUS FOR HOW TO MAKE AND EVALUATE AN ARGUMENT

Course Description: This course will train students to make and evaluate arguments. A study of the basic concepts of logic will be integrated with a series of oral and written exercises designed to strengthen students’ ability to reason creatively and critically.

Prerequisites: PHL 200

Textbooks: Howard Kahane and Nancy Cavender, Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1997.

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a

course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see

Refund Schedule).

Class Policy on Attendance: The professor keeps a record of attendance. More importantly, past experience indicates that regular, on-time attendance is necessary for most students to gain a quality grade for the course.

Class Policy For Assignments: Preparation for each class includes reading the assigned readings and drafting answers to the relevant exercises in the texts.

Grading Policy: Two tests, based on the author’s exercises and on class lectures, will determine 50% of the course grade. 25% will be based on the analytical course brief of three to four pages. Readings, weekly exercises, and class participation will determine the final 25% of the course grade.

Missed tests will only be granted a make-up after the professor has accepted a valid excuse for absence. Taking the test later will receive a grade one-half level lower than if taken on the scheduled text date. A "B" grade will receive a "B-."

5/2 Course Introduction: Mind Stretching Exercises

5/9 Chapter 1: Good and Bad Reasoning pp. 1 – 22

5/16 Chapter 2: Background Beliefs and World Views pp. 23 – 38

5/23 Chapter 3: Fallacious Reasoning – 1 pp. 39 – 62

Course Brief Subject Selection and/or Assignment

5/30 Chapter 4: Fallacious Reasoning – 2 pp. 63 – 78

Chapter 5: Fallacious Reasoning – 3 pp. 79 – 108

6/6 Chapter 6: Psychological Impediments to Cogent

Reasoning pp. 109 – 132

6/13 Mid-Term Examination pp. 1 – 132

6/20 Chapter 7: Language pp. 133 – 160

6/27 Chapter 8: Evaluating Extended Arguments pp. 161 – 188

7/4 Independence Day/Fourth of July: No Class

7/11 Chapter 9: Writing Cogent (and Persuasive) Essays pp. 189 – 212

Course Brief Paper Due

7/18 Chapter 10: Advertising: Selling the Product pp. 213 – 242

7/25 Chapter 11: Managing the News pp. 243 – 290

Chapter 12: Textbooks: Managing World Views pp. 291 – 324

8/1 Final examination pp. 133 - 234