Schedule of Lecture Topics, Readings, and Dates for Papers and Examinations

Note: if a reading is listed for a particular date, that's the date on which you must have the reading done!

Week Topic, (Reading)

Week #1

Jan. 12 Syllabus distribution and in-class diagnostic testing (Diag1, 2 &3)

Jan. 14 Course introduction; syllabus, how to read in philosophy, the St. John’s Method, Mini-lecture on Inference-indicators. (READINGS: How to Read a Book, Chapters 5 and 18 by M. Adler–E-reserves)

Week #2

Jan. 19 Techniques in active reading (discussion of Adler Chapters--bring printout of readings to class or have them available on your laptop or handheld). Mini-lecture on validity and soundness. (No new readings) (Diagnostic Exercises 4 and 5 due on CU Learn).

Jan. 21 Gallie, "Contested Concepts" in-class discussion of pages 167-180 (bring printout of readings to class or have them available on your laptop or handheld)

Week #3

Jan.26 "Contested Concepts" discussion continued; Mini-lecture on analyzing the structure of a complex argument

Jan. 28 "Contested Concepts" Pages 180-198 in-class discussion; Mini-lecture on the technique of counterexamples

Week #4

To be announced shortly