Course Overview
Logic is a tool of communication, analysis, evaluation and inquiry, that yields endless benefits, not just throughout one's career, but throughout life. The skills fostered in this course have broad application, whatever one's professional orientation and interests. This course focuses on helping you become more effective leaders by becoming better communicators, analysts, evaluators and inquirers, using logic as a central tool and addresses the shared real-world needs of leaders in every field, and of those who aspire to leadership, no matter what their field.

Through intensive skill building in formal and informal logical reasoning, students are introduced to the classical conception of logic as a tool of inquiry, analysis and evaluation, as well as to its contemporary conception as a tool of communication. The specific learning objectives of this introductory Logic course are to enable students to:

• Use the tools of logic to focus and structure their thinking.
• Diagnose the root causes of faulty logical thinking.
• Critically read various forms of communication for cogency and correct reasoning.
• Use the rules of logic to analyze and evaluate information.
• Develop the reasoning skills that embody standards of objectivity and impartiality, especially as they contrast with the persuasive techniques found in the mass media, the marketplace and public life.
• Apply the critical reasoning standards acquired by training in logic, to one's own thinking and communication.

This is accomplished through the acquisition of a conceptual framework and vocabulary necessary for focused and structured logical thinking and through intensive hands-on skill building in logical reasoning.

Method
This course contains nine Modules. Typically, each Module will be open when, but not before it is assigned and remain open for the rest of the semester. You will find Module Open information in the Announcement and in the Course Schedule. The specific Learning Activities you will need to engage in are addressed below in this document, as well as in the Textbook & Other Requirements document. Here is a brief content overview of each of the Modules:

Module One: Basic Logical Concepts
Topics include: What is Logic?; Recognizing Important Technical Terms and Logical Concepts.

Module Two: Recognizing Arguments
Topics include: Technical terms and arguments; The basic structure of arguments.

Module Three: The Uses of Language
Topics include: Using Language to Inform, Persuade, Express Emotions, Order and Inquire; Analyzing Language to Increase Options.

Module Four: Definition
Topics include: Managing Simple and Complex Disputes; Disputes and the Varieties of Meaning.

Module Five: Fallacies
Topics include: What is a Fallacy?; Three Varieties of Informal Fallacious Reasoning.

Module Six: Categorical Propositions
Topics include: Structure, Deductive Reasoning and Categorical Propositions; Technical Terms, Distribution and Categorical Propositions.

Module Seven: Categorical Syllogisms
Topics include: The Classical Syllogism; Determining Validity and Invalidity.

Module Eight: Arguments in Ordinary Language
Topics include: Putting Ordinary Language into Logical Language; Guidelines for Uniform Translation; Enthymemes and Sorites.

Module Nine: Symbolic Logic
Topics include: Technical Terms, Connections and Symbols; Testing for Validity.

Learning Activities

• The learning methods used in this class include:
• Focused reading of Online Lessons.
• Focused, close reading of Textbook chapters and sections.
• Focused application of concepts to skill development by work on assigned exercises and examples.
• Intensive cooperative teamwork. Active student participation in all online discussions.*
• Creation and submission of Team assignments
• Online practice exams.
• Individual student contact with Instructor.

How to Succeed in this Course
Success in logic means that from the outset, you must recognize the foundational, building block nature of logic. It is of critical importance to keep in mind always that logic — and the study of logic — are relentlessly logical. This means that:

• Your success in this course depends on your thorough understanding of the subject's basics found in the course's initial Modules.  These basics are used throughout the course.
• Your success with the later Modules and the overall course depends upon your thorough understanding of all that precedes them.
• Logic is not a pick and choose subject, you cannot postpone learning the basics in the expectation that you will somehow pick it all up later.
• Those who master the basics of logic report, without exception, that the seemingly difficult aspects of logic become easy, even exciting, while those who have chosen to procrastinate, find that the subject, to them, has become overwhelmingly difficult.
• Students who acquire the foundations will soon find that they think and communicate in ways that set them apart from those who have never mastered logic. Mastery of these skills is immediately recognizable by every member of the educated community, across all cultures, worldwide. Reciprocally, those who have incorporated these skills into their own thinking and communicating quickly recognize their presence or absence in others.

Please Note
If you are planning to take one of the national standardized tests, such as the LSAT, GMAT or GRE, you already know how important the ability to demonstrate skilled logical reasoning is for your scores. Mastery of logical reasoning for the exams takes your professional preparation to the next, but not the last level.

It is critical to remember at all times that the emphasis placed on logical reasoning in these exams only reflects the importance of  acquiring a high level of competence in logical reasoning for successful professional preparation, and for successful careers.

*This is an essential element of this course. It includes intensive student to student assistance, information analysis, teamwork communication and on-time submission of team assignments.

Here is a list of what you are required to read or have access to for the successful completion of this course.

Textbook
Your required textbook is  Introduction to Logic, thirteenth (13th) Edition, ISBN# 0-131898345. The authors are Copi & Cohen. It is published by Pearson- Prentice Hall. It is available at the SUNY Brockport College Bookstore, the Liftbridge Bookstore, Main Street, Brockport, through the publisher as well as through numerous online and off line sources.

The text book contains both Lessons and Exercises. You are responsible for all textbook and online assignments.

Please pay very careful attention to the order of assigned readings and activities.

You will find the procedure for each Module in the section contained within the Module called Module at a Glance. When beginning a new Module, always read this section first. The Course Schedule will also tell you which textbook and online assignment needs to be read and by when.

Always Read Module at a Glance Before Reading Anything Else Including Textbook Assignments

Online Lessons
Every Module contains Online Lessons that are coordinated with Textbook assignments. Your responsibility is to read these Online Lessons in a timely way. Begin each Module by reading the Module at a Glance section in the Module so you can follow the proper procedure for the Module. The Course Schedule will also tell you which Online Lesson needs to be read and by when.

Team Discussions
Every Module contains at least one Team Discussion Area. Your responsibility is to actively and thoughtfully contribute to Team Discussions in a timely way. Begin each Module by reading the Module at a Glance section in the Module so you can follow the proper Team Discussion procedure for the Module. Once the course gets underway you will be assigned to a Team and Teams will select a Team Leader.

Team Assignment Submissions
Every Module contains at least one Team Assignment Submission Area. This is where your Team submits a single document that is the result of your Team's considered responses to Team Assignments. Each Team submits only one Team assignment on behalf of their Team. Your responsibility is to actively and thoughtfully contribute to the preparation of the Team Assignment Submission Document in a timely way. As always, begin each Module by reading the Module at a Glance section in the Module so you can follow the proper Team Assignment Submission procedure for the Module.

Spell Check/Grammar Check
Every online communication, E-mail, lesson, question, etc.. that you author must be correctly spelled and checked for correct grammar and punctuation.

Vocabulary
You are expected to be familiar with standard words and phrases as used by educated English speakers. When in doubt use one of the many excellent unabridged dictionaries that can be found online and free. Here is one such link http://www.merriamwebster.com Words and phrases that are specific to this course will be defined when they are first used. You are responsible for knowing and correctly using these course specific definitions.

Individual Student Requirements

• Timely preparation for and continuous active participation online.
• Full, active participation in discussion.
• Full, active participation in online mutual assistance.
• Full, active participation in all phases of team assignments and projects.
• All exams will be taken on time and submitted no later than deadline.
• Total completion of all assignments as due is expected from every student for every class, unless explicit,  permission has been granted by this instructor.

Students experiencing difficulties should try to anticipate obstacles to completing assignments and contact this instructor as soon as possible. Unforeseen contingencies occur and every effort will be made to assist students to successfully complete their course requirements. Falling behind, however, can create for the student insuperable difficulties for successfully completing this course.