PHIL 1120 G: Logic, Reason, and Critical Thinking

Spring 2022

Instructor Contact Information:

Dr. Jennifer Noonan

jnoonan@nmsu.edu
Phone: 636-4534
Office: Breland 326
Office hours: T R 12:00–1:00 and by appointment

Objectives:

All general education courses are required to include instruction and evaluation of a
variety of essential skills. There are three such skills associated with this course: 

1. Critical Thinking
2. Information & Digital Literacy
3. Personal & Social Responsibility

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of an argument,
• Identify a range of common logical fallacies,
• Assess the plausibility of claims in the media,
• Construct a strong defense of your own position.

Textbooks:

There are no required textbooks. Readings and notes will be posted on the Canvas site
for the course.

Assignments:

5 Homework Assignments
10 points each = 50 points total 50%
(out of 6; lowest dropped)
5 Discussion Posts
5 points each = 25 points total 25%

5 Quizzes
5 points each = 25 points total 25%
(out of 6; lowest dropped)
Total 100%

Final Exam: There will be no final exam at the end of the semester. We will instead have
online quizzes over the course of the semester. The class will not meet during exam
week.
Late Policy: Please turn in all assignments by the due date. Late assignments submitted
within one week of the due date will have not more than 1 point deducted, with additional
deductions of a point per week late. Assignments may be submitted early.

Assignments will be graded within one week of the due date, unless otherwise noted.

Plagiarism is prohibited. Plagiarism will result in a 0 for the assignment. A second

offense will result in failure of the course.

Extra Credit: There will be opportunities for extra credit by submitting additional
assignments.

Final Grades:

Final grades will be given as whole letter grades (no +/-).

A: 89.5 or above
B: 79.5 to < 89.5
C: 69.5 to < 79.5
D: 59.5 to < 69.5
F: below 59.5

Classroom Expectations:

While you’re in class, please be respectful of your fellow students and the instructor.
Disruptive behavior such as interrupting, having side conversations, leaving class early
without an excuse, etc. may result in disciplinary action.

1st instance: warning

2nd instance: 1 point deducted from final grade
3rd instance: 5 points deducted from final grade
4th instance: 10 points deducted from final grade
5th instance: instance: dropped from the course

Academic Misconduct:

Academic and non-academic misconduct: The Student Code of Conduct defines

academic misconduct, non-academic misconduct and the consequences or penalties for
each. The Student Code of Conduct is available in the NMSU Student Handbook
online: http://studenthandbook.nmsu.edu/
Academic misconduct is explained here: http://studenthandbook.nmsu.edu/student-
code-of-conduct/academic-misconduct/

Students with Disabilities:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act (ADA) covers issues relating to disability and accommodations. If a
student has questions or needs an accommodation in the classroom (all medical
information is treated confidentially), contact:
Disability Access Services
Corbett Center Student Union Room 208
Aaron Salas, Director
575-646-6840
das@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University, in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its
commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, does
not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic
information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex
(including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, or protected veteran status
in its programs and activities, including employment, admissions, and educational
programs and activities. Inquiries may be directed to the Laura Castille, Executive
Director, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, Office of Institutional Equity, P.O. Box
30001, E. 1130 University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88003; 575.646.3635; 575-646-
7802 (TTY); equity@nmsu.edu.
Title IX prohibits sex harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and
retaliation. For more information on discrimination or Title IX, or to file a complaint
contact:
Laura Castille, Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) – O’Loughlin House, 1130 University Avenue
Phone: (575) 646-3635
E-mail: equity@nmsu.edu
Website: http://equity.nmsu.edu/

Other NMSU Resources:

NMSU Police Department: (575) 646-3311 www.nmsupolice.com

NMSU Police Victim Services: (575) 646-3424
NMSU Counseling Center: (575) 646-2731
NMSU Dean of Students: (575) 646-1722
For Any On-campus Emergencies: 911
Schedule:

Tuesday Thursday Assignments (submit on Canvas)

1/13
Course Overview
Module 1: Basics of Logic
1/18 1/20
Critical Thinking Arguments
1/28
1/25 1/27
Validity Discussion
Induction and Deduction Validity
Module 1 Quiz
Module 2: Language, Ambiguity, and Bias
2/1 2/3 2/4
Natural Language Cognitive Bias Bias Assignment
2/8 2/10 2/11
Informal Fallacies Fallacies of Relevance Fallacies of Relevance Discussion
2/15 2/17 2/18
Ambiguity and Vagueness Fallacies of Ambiguity Fallacies of Ambiguity Discussion
2/22 2/24 2/25
Types of Definition Emotion and Evaluation Evaluative Language Assignment
3/4
3/1 3/3
Truth & Opinion Discussion
Media Bias Persuasion
Module 2 Quiz
3/7 – 3/11 Spring Break
Module 3: Deduction
3/15 3/17 3/18
Negation, Conjunction, Disjunction Conditionals Connectives Assignment
3/22 3/24 3/25
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions Logical Equivalence Logical Equivalence Quiz

3/29 3/31 4/1

Truth Tables Common Structures Truth Tables Assignment
4/8
4/5 4/7
Quantifiers Assignment
Formal Proof Quantification
Module 3 Quiz
Module 4: Induction
4/12 4/14 4/15
Inductive Arguments Causation Induction Quiz
4/19 4/21 4/22
Causal Fallacies Pseudoscience and Junk Science Pseudoscience Discussion
4/29
4/26 4/28
Distinctions Assignment
Probability Three Distinctions
Module 4 Quiz
5/2 – 5/6 Exam Week: No Classes (No Final Exam)