Reason and Argument

Module overview

One of the main reasons the study of Philosophy is valued by employers is that it develops an ability that is invaluable in all sorts of contexts: the ability to reason rigorously and correctly. All Philosophy modules aim indirectly to develop this skill, but Reason and Argument is directly concerned to develop it. The module is all about how to tell the difference between good and bad arguments, how to use language precisely, how to identify weak arguments and misleading uses of language in the writings of philosophers, politicians and others whose job it is to persuade us to believe what they want us to believe. The module focuses on arguments in ordinary language and aims to give you the concepts and skills you need to identify the tricks commonly used to disguise bad arguments as good ones and to develop your own skills in constructing valid arguments.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

use informal and basic formal techniques to assess the validity of arguments.
construct valid arguments.
identify any fallacies arguments in ordinary language may contain.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the techniques of basic logic, including translating arguments into symbolic notation and constructing truth tables.
the concepts of validity and soundness.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

identify underlying issues and presuppositions in debates.
identify arguments, including their premises, their conclusions and their form.
analyse and assess arguments.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

Lectures
In-class discussion
One-on-one consultation with module co-ordinator

Learning activities include

Attending lectures
Contributing to discussion in lectures
Practising relevant exercises

In the lectures, you will be introduced to the issues central to this module, as well as to a variety of exercises designed to help you develop the skills and abilities required to achieve the learning outcomes of this module. Any difficulties you encounter can be raised and discussed in lectures and office hours.

Study time
Type	Hours
Teaching	33
Independent Study	117
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Blackboard.

Textbooks

Stephen Layman (2005). The Power of Logic. McGraw Hill.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Exercises and Quizzes

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
In-class Test	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Timed Assignment	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
In-class Test	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External