PHIL 3, UCSB, Winter 2010
Course Info
Instructor: Josh May
TAs: Sian Griffith & Rob McIntyre
Textbook’s Web Page:
http://www.mhhe.com/mooreparker9/
Documents
- Syllabus (PDF, 5pp.)
Lecture Slides
- UNIT 1: Basics
- UNIT 2: Credibility, Rhetoric, Fallacies
- UNIT 3: Deductive Logic – Propositional
Updates / Announcements
Review Sessions [03.11.10]
Each TA will have a review session for the final exam; you can attend one or both:
- Rob’s Session: Tues. 3/16 7:30 -9:30pm (SH 1431)
- Sian’s Session: Wed. 3/17 7:30 -9:30pm (BUCHN 1930)
Note on 2nd Ch. 9 Homework [03.03.10]
For exercise set 9-3, just do the ones for which there are answers in the back of the book (1, 5, 12). They aren’t starred, but the directions tell you those are the ones with the answers in the back.
Slides 9c Updated [03.03.10]
We came across two typos in lecture today and I’ve since noticed something potentially misleading. So I’ve updated Slide Set 9c to help correct these issues (see slides 7-10). The potentially misleading issue had to do with how I translated the second example for the long truth table test. I symbolized “Neither of them [William or Conan] has one [an alibi]” as ~(W & C), which could also be translated, as I noted, as ~W v ~C; they’re truth-functionally equivalent. However, that’s not the standard translation for cases with “neither.” It’s: ~(W v C), or you can symbolize it as ~W & ~C (they’re truth-functionally equivalent). However, while ~(W & C) and ~(W v C) aren’t truth-functionally equivalent, the former is entailed by the latter. So I was basically shortcutting by getting to the version of the premise that made the most sense for the argument.
So, what I’ve done is rephrased that second premise so as to be directly and appropriately translated as ~(W & C), which is what we needed. The premise is now: “But they [William and Conan] don’t both have one [an alibi].” This is symbolized as ~(W & C), which is what we wanted. Sorry for the confusion. I’ll likely clarify this in lecture on Friday. But you may want to reprint the slides or update your current copy yourself.
Midterm #2 Returned [03.02.10]
The second midterm has been graded and your exams have been returned. If you weren’t able to pick it up in lecture when they were handed back, contact your TA to arrange a time to pick it up. Notice there was a curve on the midterm; 4 points were added to everyone’s score.
Not doing Ch. 10 or 11 [03.02.10]
Due to time constraints, we’re not going to do either ch. 10 or 11. Only material from ch. 9 will be on the final.
Renaming of Files [02.23.10]
FYI, I renamed some of the lecture slide files to correspond to the chapters instead of chronological order.
Date of Midterm #2 Changed [2.12.10]
I’ve decided to push the midterm back one lecture meeting (to Mon. 2/22). I’ve updated the syllabus on the course web page to reflect the change. There are two main reasons for this: (1) An extra day of lecture will allow us to make sure to have enough time to finish discussing Ch. 7 material so it can all be on the midterm. (2) Everyone will then have a section before the midterm to discuss the material with the TAs (Rob is having a make-up section for the Monday people to make up for the holiday). It will also have the benefit that many sports players shouldn’t have to schedule make-ups.
Of course, this may inconvenience some. Some of you may have made plans for something important on that day thinking you’d only be missing a normal lecture. If so, just let me know ASAP and we’ll figure out a time to do a make-up. But I can only schedule make-ups for those with previous and non-arbitrary plans.
Also, I won’t have office hours on Monday because of the holiday. If you want to meet, email me to set up an appointment.
Make sure to start reading Ch. 7. I’ll get the homework assignment by Wed. if not sooner.
Graded Midterms & Grading Scale [02.05.10]
Graded midterms have been returned. FYI, we’ll be using a standard grading scale to convert percentages into letter grades. But there isn’t much of a standard for the borderlines between grades. So, to be clear, precise, and uniform, we’ll use the following for conversion throughout the quarter:
- A 93.33 – 100% (a wide range b/c there’s not really an A+)
- A- 90.00 – 93.32%
- B+ 86.67 – 89.99%
- B 83.33 – 86.66%
- B- 80.00 – 83.32%
- C+ 76.67 – 79.99%
- C 73.33 – 76.66%
- C- 70.00 – 73.32%
- D+ 66.67 – 69.99%
- D 63.33 – 66.66%
- D- 60.00 – 63.32%
- F 00.00 – 59.99% (a wide range b/c there’s no F+ or F-)
Sian’s Office Hours Changed! [01.24.10]
Sian’s new office hours are: Mon. 10-11a & 12-1p (and by appointment, of course).
Book On Reserve [01.19.10]
I just got the extra copy of the textbook today and got it on reserve in the library. You can check it out for 2 hours at a time.
My Office Hours Changed! [01.19.10]
I unfortunately have to change my office hours to: Mondays 1-3pm (and by appointment, of course). I’ve just moved them up 2 hours. The syllabus has been updated. Make sure to note the change on your copy!
Holiday Office Hours & Sections [01.17.10]
First, since there’s a holiday tomorrow (Monday), I won’t have my office hours. And I don’t plan to shift them to some other time this week. Instead, let’s just do appointments as necessary. So email me to set up an appointment if you need to talk about something.
Second, unfortunately, the Monday section is getting the short end of the stick with the two Monday holidays this quarter. I suggest Monday section students keep an eye on their progress; if you think you need the help that section would normally provide, make sure to go to your TA’s office hours or mine (or set up an appointment) to get extra help.
Sian’s Sick; Section Canceled [01.07.10]
Sian informed me this evening that she’s become very sick and her section must be canceled tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 8).
Switching Sections UPDATE [01.05.10]
Okay, apparently an unusually high number of people are trying to switch sections. It’s going to be too crazy for people to be graded by a different TA and all that. Things may get difficult to track and one TA might end up grading more than another. So, the new policy: if you want to switch sections, you need to talk to the TA for the section you want to sit in on. If he or she is okay with you going to that section, let your other TA know. Then you’ll submit your work to the TA for the section you’re officially enrolled in, not the TA whose section your attending. That way both TAs will still have the same number of students when it comes to grading.
Adding / Crashing Update [01.05.10]
No one can add to the waiting list anymore; it’s closed. For those already on it: I’m working on the adding situation and should have it all figured out by tomorrow’s lecture (Wed.). I’m hoping to get an email out tonight, though, letting everyone know whether they got in or not so they know whether they need to go to lecture tomorrow (and section on either Wednesday or Friday). Lookout for that email, otherwise we’ll finalize things in class tomorrow.
Textbook Price [01.05.10]
Unfortunately, the price of the text has mysteriously—around the time the term started, it seems—shot up from around $35 to $75 on Amazon. I just checked the bookstore yesterday as well, and they’re selling it for $101 new ($75 used)! I’m really upset about this. I chose the book partly based on the price. Now I look like I’m one of those inconsiderate instructors who doesn’t care how much students have to pay for a textbook.
I contacted the publisher to see if they can do anything or explain what the hell happened. UPDATE: Of course, they dodged the entire issue. They didn’t say why this happened or anything. They said they’re sorry I’m unhappy and that the textbook is around the price of its competitors.
So it looks like there isn’t anything we can do. The best option is probably to either rent a printed copy of the textbook (Google around and you’ll find this option). Alternatively, you can get the eTextbook version on CourseSmart for about $38 right now. It’s just a 180 day subscription to the book online (or you can download it and use it for 180 days). They also now apparently have an iPhone app for reading it on your phone (if you have an iPhone), which is pretty neat. REMEMBER: If you already bought the textbook from the bookstore, you can always return it within the 14 days or whatever it is and get the cheaper rented or electronic version.
Textbook on Reserve? [01.05.10]
The textbook is not yet on reserve. Unfortunately, the library doesn’t have a copy of the textbook, so I have to find an extra free copy to leave there. Please bear with me. I’ll let you all know if and when I do get it in the library. Keep in mind, though, that you can get the e-version for only $38 (see above). If you have the dough, you might want to just get that and not rely on a reserve copy.
Print Syllabus [01.05.10]
Don’t forget to print your own copy of the syllabus! You’ll likely need it around to refer back to it. Remember, you’re responsible for knowing all the policies it outlines.
Section Meetings [01.05.10]
I forgot to explicitly mention this on Monday, but sections do meet this week, even Friday (despite lecture being canceled).
