CIS1873 - LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either the Freshman or Sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
CIS1873 - Logic and Critical Thinking (3 hrs.)
This course provides an introduction to deductive and inductive reasoning. This course focuses on constructing, analyzing, and evaluating arguments
Course Classification: Lecture
Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
Controlling Purpose:
This course familiarizes students with formal logic as a method for analyzing and assessing reasoning structures. It emphasizes deductive validity, logical equivalence, and the process of demonstrating soundness. The logical frameworks explored in this course are universally applicable, meaning they can be used to evaluate reasoning in any subject.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, the student will:
- Differentiate Arguments from Non-Arguments
- Analyze and Assess Informal Reasoning
- Apply Fundamental Principles of Logical Discourse
- Utilize Propositional Logic to Evaluate Argument
- Develop Critical Thinking Skills for Logical Analysis
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following outline defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows.
UNIT 1: Recognize the difference between arguments and non-arguments
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
- Distinguish between an argument and an explanation, report, or illustration
- Identify the premises and the conclusion of arguments
- Recognize components of language and language use relevant to reasoning such as meaning, definition, emotive force, denotation and connotation
UNIT 2: Identify and explain the components of informal reasoning
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
- Recognize and define informal fallacies
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to evaluate, inductive arguments such as analogical arguments, generalizations, arguments from authority, causal inferences etc.
- Evaluate the cogency of arguments in specialized areas such as legal, moral, or scientific reasoning
UNIT 3: Identify and apply the basic concepts of logical discourse
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
- Distinguish formal from informal arguments
- Distinguish deductive validity and soundness and be able to evaluate arguments for each
- Recognize basic argument forms such as modus ponens, modus tollens, disjunctive syllogism, chain, etc.
UNIT 4: Recognize the basic concepts of propositional logic
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
- Symbolize natural language arguments in propositional logic
- Use truth tables to evaluate the validity/invalidity of arguments in propositional logic
- Demonstrate familiarity with and the ability to use logical operators
Projects Required:
Varies, refer to syllabus.
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
None
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Time Frame:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Accessibility Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, accommodates all students with a documented disability. If a student has a disability that will impact their ability to be successful in this course, please contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator for the needed accommodations.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
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