Phil 1440: Introduction to Logic

Spring 2012

READINGS:

Chapter 1 of our textbook is available here

 

How To Do Well In My Course:

This course will be challenging. If you want to succeed in it, you need to do the following things:
1) DO ALL OF THE READING (you will not get a good grade in this course without reading the material).
2) DO ALL OF THE READING AGAIN (reading philosophy is hard. In my courses, I tried to read everything at least twice, but optimally three times, before attending class, and then I usually revisit readings after class).
3) ATTEND ALL OF THE LECTURES.
4) DO NOT DO ASSIGNMENTSTHE NIGHT BEFORE THEY ARE DUE (Logic is also hard; it requires a lot of thought. You are going to need time to process the material, figure out the techniques, etc. Seriously: this isn’t a good course to procrastinate in.)
5) I REPEAT: MAKE USE OF MY OFFICE HOURS.
6) WHEN YOU GET AN ASSIGNMENT BACK, FIGURE WHAT YOU DID WRONG IF YOU MISSED ANY PROBLEMS!
7) Make use of the practice problems in the book. Also, flash cards, review sheets, etc. may prove very helpful.

 

And finally, don’t expect to automatically get an A in this course, even if you are used to getting As in most courses—i.e. even if you do all of the above things. Philosophy is rigorous, and difficult. It’s not busy work, or sitting around sharing your feelings. You must demonstrate a mastery over the course material to get an A...

And remember:

Philosophy is supposed to be fun. If it's not, you're clearly doing something wrong! ;-)