I.

Ateneo de Zamboanga University

College of Liberal Arts
Philosophy Department
II.
III.Course Code: Philosophy 100/101
IV. Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy and Logic/NurloCR
V. Number of Units: 3

Course Description:

This is an introductory philosophy course which intends to equip students with critical thinking skills and develop in them the ability to construct and evaluate
arguments which they encounter in their everyday experiences. Furthermore, this course is divided into two parts. The first part is Logic. In this part, the students
will be introduced with the basic principles of Logic which they can apply in evaluating arguments and distinguishing correct forms of reasoning from the fallacious
ones. The second part is critical thinking and philosophical discourse which aims to facilitate the students into thinking and reflecting critically about the various
philosophical ideas and issues.

General Objectives: This course seeks to:

0 Let the students engage in serious and critical thinking.

1 To develop a discriminating attitude towards identifying valid forms of arguments from invalid forms of arguments through studying the different methods
and principles in logic.
2 Provide the students an avenue to do philosophy and engage in philosophical discourse with others.
3 Instill in students the value of open mindedness; that is the liberation from the attitudes of narrowness and superficiality and inviting them to perceive life
in a broader and deeper way.

Core Values:
1. Open-mindedness
2. Reasonableness
3. Intellectual humility
4. Depth
Course Materials:

1. Barry, Vincent E and Joel Rudinow. Introduction to Critical Thinking. Fort Worth, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc, 1989.
2. Carlsen-Jones, Michael T. Introduction to Logic. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1983.
3. Copi, Irving M. , “Introduction to Logic” (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1994)
4. Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic. Second Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1985.
5. Mitchell, Helen Buss, “Roots of Wisdom” (California: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1996)
6. Moga, Michael D., “ Man’s Enduring Questions” (Makati City: St. Pauls. )
7. Factione Peter A. (2009). Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from: www.insightassessment.com.

Course Requirements:

1. On Philosophical Papers/Reflection Paper:

a. Two-paged reaction paper/reflection paper.

b. Format: short bond paper, computer printed, font size-12, one inch margin for all sides; your name course and year, subject and date written on the
upper right.
c. Paper will be submitted a week after the discussion of a particular topic.
d. Papers will be graded for:

Content: Correctness of the explanation of the point/item, evidence of critical reflection and depth (60%)
Organization and Coherence: Flow of ideas (30%)
Presentation: Grammar and mechanics (10%)

2. On quizzes and Written Examinations:

a. A quiz is given every after the discussion of each topic.

b. Written Examinations (Midterm and Finals) as scheduled.
c. Types of test:

Objective: The test aids designed to measure student’s knowledge of Fundamental Concepts as discussed in class.
True or False: The test is designed to measure student’s ability to analyze and evaluate Philosophical statements as discussed in the class.
Essay: The test is designed to measure student’s ability to synthesize the topics as discussed in the class. Answers are graded according to
the: Content: 60 %
Organization: 30%
Presentation: 10%
3. On Group Presentations:

All group activity presentations such as Audio Visual Presentation, Documentary Film Presentation will be graded according to the rubrics provided.

4. On Attendance:

a. The school’s policy as stipulated in the student’s handbook will be strictly enforced. An appeal or reconsideration on the limit situations on this
matter will only be entertained only if the justification can proven beyond reasonable doubt.
b. A beadle will be appointed to assist the teacher on checking the attendance.

5. On Grading System: New Grading System

Midterm Grade
a. 1st Quarter Class Standing: 2/3
This includes the following: Quizzes, Philosophical Papers, Group Presentations.
b. Midterm Exam: 1/3

Final Grade
a. Midterm Grade:1/3
b. 2nd Quarter Class Standing: 1/3
c. Final Exam: 1/3

6. On Consultation Hours:

Officially:
TTH-9-10:30
Faculty Workroom
School of Liberal Arts
Virtually: Anytime you see me at the faculty workroom, please feel free to approach me.

TOPICS/LESSON
FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: CRITICAL THINKING AND PHILOSOPHICAL
I. The Chief Aims of Philosophy DISCOURSE

II. Logic I. What Critical Thinking is and What it is Not

A. Defining Argument II. Blocks to Critical Thinking

B. Distinguishing Arguments from Non-Arguments III. Defining Critical Thinking

C. Evaluating Arguments: Deduction and Induction IV. Critical Thinking Skills

D. Truth Tables A. INFERENCE

(What is Philosophy)
E. Informal Fallacies
B. ANALYSIS
(The Nature of Philosophical Inquiry)

C. EVALUATION
(The Apology of Socrates)

D. INTERPRETATION
(The Allegory of the Cave)

E. SELF-REGULATION/META-COGNITION
(Man’s Search for Meaning)

F. EXPLANATION
(Plato’s Theory of the Soul)
COURSE OUTLINE

TIME FRAME TOPIC/LESSON TEACHING STRATEGY LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT

1st week The Chief Aims of Philosophy Group Activity At the end of the topic, the students should be Group Output
able to:
-Identify the general goals of philosophy
-share their realizations about the role of
philosophy in one’s life.
Defining Argument -Lecture At the end of the topic, the students should be Graded recitation
-Socratic Method: able to: Quiz
Question and Answer -Determine the basic concepts of logic
-Identify the components of an argument

2nd week Distinguishing Arguments -Brainstorming At the end of the topic, the students should be Written output:
from Non Arguments -Lecture able to: Synthesis
-classify statements which are not arguments Quiz
-identify the fundamental differences between
statements of arguments and non-arguments

3rd – 4th week Evaluating Arguments: -Lecture At the end of the topic, the students should be Graded recitation
Deduction and Induction -Group presentation able to: Quiz
-State the distinction between the two types of
arguments.
-Evaluate the validity of the various forms of
arguments

5th – 7th week Informal Fallacies Lecture At the end of the topic, the students should be Quiz
Mass Media Activity – the able to: Reaction Paper
students will be asked to -Identify fallacies that we encounter in our daily
identify various form experience.
fallacies in mass media. -Evaluate the various forms of information they
receive everyday: mass media

8th week MIDTERM EXAMINATION

9th week What Critical Thinking is and Small Group Sharing At the end of the topic, the students should be Refection paper
 What it is Not Role Play able to: Quiz
-Clarify the difference between critical thinking
from those that are not.
-Construct a creative role play which depicts
critical thinking.

10th week Blocks to Critical Thinking Group Presentation At the end of the Topic, the students should be Graded recitation
Synthesis able to: Quiz
-Articulate the implications of the blocks to critical
thinking.

11th week Defining Critical Thinking Lecture At the end of the topic, the students should be Reflection Paper
Socratic Method able to: Quiz
-State the significance of Critical thinking
-Paraphrase the main idea of the article about
critical thinking.

12th-16th week Critical thinking skills: Lecture At the end of the topic, the students should be Reaction/Reflection
ANALYSIS Application- students will able to: paper
(The Nature of apply the theories on -Perform the different critical thinking skills Quiz
Philosophical Inquiry) articles, movies, etc. through writing a reaction/reflection paper
INFERENCE Synthesis
(What is Philosophy)
EVALUATION
(The Apology of Socrates)
INTERPRETATION
(The Allegory of the Cave)
SELF-REGULATION/META-
COGNITION
(Man’s Search for Meaning)
EXPLANATION
(Plato’s Theory of the Soul)

17th Week FINAL EXAMINATION