|
PHI115 - Practical
Reasoning- 3 Credits
|
|
Professor:
Dr. Don Gregory
|
|
Overview |
|
|
In this course, you
will learn the principles of informal logic. You will develop skills which
will enable you to distinguish valid reasoning from invalid, and which will
enable you to construct a sound argument.
You will learn through several different kinds of activities: reading,
watching lectures in streaming video, viewing mini-lectures using
Macromedia Flash (a free download), and participating in Discussion Forums.
What you learn in this course will enable you to identify and evaluate
logical reasoning in the myriad of daily activities in which it is found.
Prerequisite : There are no formal prerequisites for this course, but
it is presumed that the student will have college-level English language
skills. This will be important since the instruction will be delivered
through a combination of written and oral media (i.e., textbook,
audio/video lectures, and audio/slide presentations). |
|
Top |
|
|
Objectives |
|
|
If you do well in
this course, you will be able to recognize unsound reasoning, and construct
sound arguments. Specifically, you will be able to:
·
discuss and define logical terminology, such as
"validity," "soundness," "truth,"
"argument," "premise," "conclusion," etc.
·
identify informal logical fallacies.
·
understand the principles of argumentation.
·
construct a simple, sound argument, avoiding fallacies and
adequately supporting your conclusion. |
|
Top |
|
|
Materials |
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
|
Grading |
|
|
Your course grade
will be determined according to the following system:
Each of the four
quizzes: 10% of course grade.
Each of the two proctored exams: 30% of course grade.
Each quiz will be worth
10 points, and each exam will be worth 30 points, with a total of 100
possible points in the course. You will be able to keep track of your total
points by clicking on the "check your grade" link on the course's
home page. The final course grade will be determined according to the
following scale:
90-100 points = A
80-89 points = B
70-79 points = C
60-69 points = D
0-59 points = F |
|
Top |
|
|
Exams |
|
|
There are 2 online exams. You are expected to take your online exams at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.
For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.
For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here. |
|
Top |
|
|
ELI Policies and Procedures |
|
|
This is an Extended Learning Institute (ELI) course. ELI courses differ
from campus courses in several important ways, including enrollment dates,
communication with faculty, assignment completion requirements, and exams.
You must follow ELI's policies and procedures if
you take this course. Read (or review) ELI's
Policies and Procedures before you begin the course.
|
|
Top |
|
|
Contacting the Instructor |
|
|
You may contact me
through regular email at dgregory@nvcc.edu
or by telephone at (703) 323-3271. You may also call me to schedule a
meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in
Annandale.
|
|
Top |
|
|
Beginning the Course |
|
|
1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.
Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor. |
|
|
|
