Course Syllabus
Unit Description
This unit is an introduction to critical thinking and ethical conduct. It will examine the principles of sound reasoning (logic), how one knows something (epistemology), and how one should live (morality). These skills and values serve as a foundation for all rational thought including research and in the workplace. They are also important for how we treat others (and the environment).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the laws of logic and the basic principles of argumentation.
- Apply formal methods to clarify and assess real-world arguments.
- Analyse what is moral knowledge and why it is important.
- Articulate what is knowledge and how one can have it.
Assessment Schedule
|
Assessment Type |
Value |
Due Date |
Learning Outcomes (LOs) Assessed |
Graduate Attributes (GAs) Addressed |
|
1. Quizzes |
30% |
Seminar 3–6 |
A, B |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
|
2. Written Assignment |
35% |
Seminar 10 |
C |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
|
3. Final Exam |
35% |
Seminar 13 |
A, B, C, D |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
1. Quizzes
Throughout the trimester, students will be required to complete four 10–15-minute quizzes on logic.
2. Written Assignment
In a 1200–2000-word essay, the student will explain:
- What is his or her ethical theory?
- What grounds morality? (i.e., why is what is good, good?)
- Why should one be moral? (i.e., what motivation does one have to be good?)
- Applying your preferred ethical theory, explain one of the following:
A. Why one should not be racist;
B. Whether it is permissible to lie to advance one’s career;
C. To what degree one should factor in environmental considerations in business.
|
Written Assignment |
|
||||
|
Criteria /Grade |
High Distinction (80–100%) |
Distinction (70–79%) |
Credit (60–69%) |
Pass (50–59%) |
Fail (0–49%) |
|
Articulation of his or her ethical theory [15] |
Fully grasps all the details of an ethical theory |
Sound grasp of most of an ethical theory |
Grasps many of the issues of an ethical theory |
Has begun to grasp the issues of an ethical theory |
Has not grasped the issues of an ethical theory |
|
Analysis of the grounding of morality [20] |
Demonstrates a pronounced ability to analyse the grounding of morality |
Demonstrates a pronounced ability to analyse most of the grounding of morality |
Demonstrates ability to analyse many of the elements of the grounding of morality |
Demonstrates engagement with some issues of the grounding of morality |
No analysis or engagement of the grounding of morality |
|
Analysis of one’s moral motivations [20] |
Demonstrates a pronounced ability to analyse one’s motivations for morality |
Demonstrates a pronounced ability to analyse most of one’s motivations for morality |
Demonstrates ability to analyse many of the elements of one’s motivations for morality |
Demonstrates engagement with some issues of one’s motivations for morality |
No analysis or engagement of one’s motivations for morality |
|
Explanation of moral issue [25] |
Demonstrates a pronounced ability to analyse the moral issue |
Demonstrates a pronounced ability to analyse most the moral issue |
Demonstrates ability to analyse many of the elements of the moral issue |
Demonstrates engagement with some issues of the moral issue |
No analysis or engagement of the moral issue |
|
Composition [20] |
Consistently uses correct grammar with rare misspellings |
Few grammatical or spelling errors are noted in paper |
Some grammatical or spelling errors evidenced in the paper |
Many errors in spelling and grammar evidenced in paper |
Poor spelling and grammar characterize the work |
3. Final Exam
A 2-hour final examination consisting of short answer questions.
Prescribed Textbook(s)
Dowden, B. (2020). Fallacies. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/fallacy/
Moreland, J. P., & Craig, W. L. (2017). Philosophical foundations for a Christian worldview. (2nd ed.) InterVarsity Press Academic.
|
WEEK |
TOPICS |
PRESCRIBED READINGS |
ASSESSMENTS |
|
1 |
Welcome, Unit Outline & Structure; Administration Procedures; Discussion on Assessments; Assignment dates. Introduction Argumentation and Logic: Deductive Arguments |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 2 Argumentation and Logic, 28–40.
[optional further reading: Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, and Wallace, Critical thinking, chp. 1. Or Cowan, and Spiegel, The love of wisdom, wks. 1–4, 12: Chp. 1 Logic and Truth: What is Truth? 16–46.] |
|
|
2 |
Predicate Logic and Modal Logic |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 2 Argumentation and Logic, 40–53.
[optional further reading: Copi, Cohen, and Rodych, Introduction to logic, chp. 7 Syllogisms in Ordinary Language, 224–262.] |
|
|
3 |
Inductive Reasoning |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 2 Argumentation and Logic, 52–58.
[optional further reading: Copi, Cohen, and Rodych, Introduction to logic, chp. 11 Analogical Reasoning, 496–519.] |
Quiz |
|
4 |
Fallacies |
Dowden, Fallacies.
[optional further reading: Howard-Snyder, Wasserman, The power of logic, chp. 4 Informal Fallacies, 159–210.] |
Quiz |
|
5 |
Ethics |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 21 Ethics, 413–423.
[optional further reading: Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, chp. 1 What is Morality?, 1–13. Or Cowan, and Spiegel, The love of wisdom, wks 5–8: Chp. 7 Ethics: How Should We Live? 318–372.] |
Quiz |
|
6 |
Relativism |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 22 Relativism, 424–440.
[optional further reading: Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, chp. 2 The Challenge of Cultural Relativism, 14–32.] |
Quiz |
|
7 |
In-trimester Study Week |
||
|
8 |
Egoism Utilitarianism |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 23 Egoism and Utilitarianism, 441–459.
[optional further reading: Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, chp. 5 Ethical Egoism, 66–82; and chp. 7 The Utilitarian Approach, 101–117.] |
|
|
9 |
Deontology and Virtue Ethics |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 24 Deontology and Virtue Ethics, 460–472.
[optional further reading: Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, chp. 9 Are There Absolute Moral Rules?, 133–144; and chp 12 Virtue Ethics, 169–185.] |
|
|
10 |
Epistemology: What is Knowledge? |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 3 Knowledge, 61–78.
[optional further reading: Sosa, Epistemology, chp. 4 Knowledge, 55–70. Or Cowan, and Spiegel, The love of wisdom, wks 9–11: Chp. 2 Epistemology: How do we know? 47–100.] |
|
|
11 |
Skepticism |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 4 Skepticism, 79–98.
[optional further reading: Audi, Epistemology, chp 12 & 14 Skepticism, 334–378.] |
Written Assignment |
|
12 |
Epistemic Justification |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 5 Justification, 99–117.
[optional further reading: Goldman, McGrath, Epistemology, chp. 1 The Structure of Justification, 3–24.] |
|
|
13 |
Truth |
Craig, Moreland, Philosophical foundations, chp. 6 Truth, 118–140.
[optional further reading: Dew, Foreman, How Do We Know, chp. 4 What is Trust, and How Do We Find it?, 49–62.] |
|
|
14 |
Exam week |
|
Final Examination |
Consultation hours: by appointment, I am available for about one hour after each class.
Please email me with any questions. I will aim to reply within 24 hours (excluding weekends).