PHI 201 - Logic and Critical Thinking (3 Cr)
Section outline
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OverviewThis course improves your God-given ability to think. You learn how to use logic and critical thinking to formulate clear, sound arguments, evaluate others' reasoning and evidence, and detect fallacies in flawed arguments. You will learn key elements of argument structure, inductive reasoning, probability, deductive reasoning, formal logic, and categorical logic.
Outcomes
1. Understand the essential concepts, principles, and methods of logical reasoning
2. Be able to detect and avoid fallacious reasoning in the arguments of others and in your own arguments
3. Be capable of formulating and evaluating both deductive and inductive arguments
4. Appreciate the value of critical reasoning and precision in the use of language
5. Continue to develop habits of thinking and communicating with logical rigor and clarityResources
1. Main textbook: Matthew J. Van Cleave, Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking. Dr. Van Cleave earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Cincinnati and is Professor at Lansing Community College. This book is made available through Open Textbook Library. David Feddes selected portions of the book for this course and made some minor changes.
2. Video lectures by David Feddes. Among his other studies, Dr. Feddes earned a degree in philosophy, including the study of symbolic logic and modal logic.Required Assignments
2. Take the online quizzes for each unit. Unlike many courses, this class doesn't have just one quiz at the end of a unit. There may be several exercises or quizzes in a unit. Make sure you do every exercise. You will have 75 minutes to answer 20 multiple-choice questions for each quiz. Each quiz covers the readings and video lectures for that unit. Once a quiz has started, you must finish it, and you cannot retake it.
1. View all online lectures and read all articles on each topic. Active engagement with course materials prior to attempting the quiz is required for each unit. If a resource is provided in multiple formats, simply choose whichever format best supports your learning. CLI’s system tracks your viewing history to determine meaningful engagement. Make sure you are logged into your student account when viewing or downloading the materials.Quizzes must be completed independently. The use of AI tools, search engines, other websites, or assistance from other individuals is prohibited.
Quizzes are open-note. You may reference your own notes or any of the provided CLI course materials during the quiz. However, you should plan to study materials prior to attempting the quiz.
Quiz Tip: First answer the questions you know. Then use your own notes or the provided CLI course materials to help answer any questions you are unsure about.
Please Note: Effective September 1, this course will transition to a single-quiz-attempt format to align with standard CLI course metrics. If you are currently enrolled and intend to utilize a second attempt on any upcoming quizzes, please complete them prior to September 1.
3. At the end of the course, you will be invited to complete a brief Course Feedback Survey. Your feedback helps CLI evaluate the course and identify opportunities for improvement.
Course Forum
Each course forum is located near the beginning of the course, immediately before the first course-content section. The forum allows students to post course-related questions and comments for other currently enrolled students to view and discuss. You can also search previous posts to see whether your question or topic has already been addressed.
The forum is intended primarily for peer discussion and may not receive an immediate response. Questions or concerns requiring timely assistance should be directed to the Help Desk at helpdesk@christianleaders.net.
Grading Scale
A 93-100% A- 90-92% B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82% C+ 77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72% D+ 67-69% D 63-66% D- 60-62% F 0-59%
Students' final grade is based on the average of all required quizzes and assignments. Each graded activity is weighted equally unless otherwise stated. The single lowest quiz score will be excluded from the overall grade.
Your average for the course must be at least 60%. Otherwise, you will fail the class and will receive no credit.
Deadline
You have 180 days to finish the course. If you have not received a final grade for the course before your enrollment ends, you will be automatically unenrolled, you will receive an “Administrative Withdrawal” for the course on your transcript, and all coursework will be removed. You will have to start over and take the class again to receive credit.
To avoid potential administrative delays or additional fees, please complete all assignments at least three weeks before your enrollment end date.
If you believe you qualify for a two-week extension, as outlined in our Catalog policies, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@christianleaders.net as soon as possible, ideally at least three weeks before your enrollment end date.
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Unit 1: Improve Your Thinking
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Unit 2: Arguments
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Unit 3: Complex Arguments
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We are aware that the audio is out of sync and are working to correct that.
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Unit 4: Inductive and Analogical Reasoning
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Unit 5: Causal Reasoning and Probability
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Unit 6: Validity, Soundness, and Deductive arguments
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Unit 7: Formal Methods of Evaluating Arguments
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Unit 8: Truth Tables
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Unit 9: Conditionals
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Unit 12: Categorical Logic
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🎉 Well Done!
Congratulations on Completing This Course!
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The course has ended. Please make sure all quizzes have been completed. If your work is incomplete, it is considered a drop, and you will have to take the class again in order to receive credit.
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Our staff will be using this time to review your work. Your grade should appear on your "My Home Page" in the "Course Overview" section. Please contact Helpdesk if you have any questions or did not receive your grade.
Below you will find a series of lectures on logic by Dr. Roy Clouser. You are not required to view these, but they are available if you want dig deeper into logic.