Details
This course is an introduction to logic as a foundation for further study in all fields. The emphasis is on application of logical principles, especially on spotting and avoiding logical fallacies.
Each module has one lesson devoted to abstract logic in the form of logical symbols or Venn diagrams. The second lesson of the module is devoted to applications, especially to the various kinds of logical fallacies.
Since the course is neither a formal philosophy course nor a course in mathematical set theory, it is not intended as a rigorous pre-requisite for philosophy or mathematics courses. The topics in formal logic are not designed as ends in themselves, but rather as a means to help understand how logic is used in our daily lives. In particular, students are asked to analyse the statements they hear and read in the news, made politicians and advertisers, in order to see the logical traps that are being laid for them.
There is a strong English-language component to the course. There are vocabulary exercises and reading comprehension exercises. The discussion forums are an exercise in English composition, which are especially applicable to communicating logical ideas to others (classmates, in this case).
Outline
Module 1
How advertising makes you think illogically
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Module 2
If-then sentences -- Socrates’ syllogism
Post Hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy
Module 3
Fallacy of composition and Division
Venn Diagrams
Module 4
More fallacies – Red Herrings, ad hominem attacks
Converse statement
Module 5
Negation and Proving a statement false
Negatives in Venn Diagrams
Module 6
Incorrect conclusions from anecdotes and analogies
Contrapositives and Inverses
Module 7
Circular Reasoning and “Begging the Question”
Appeals to trust, nature, etc.
Speaker/s
The professor, Dr. Raymond Zepp (USA) has long experience around the world teaching mathematics and research methods. He has written many research papers in international journals on the relationships between logic and language.
Dr Zepp has been a consultant to the World Bank (Cambodia), Asia Development Bank (Sri Lanka), USAID (Haiti), United Nations UNDP (Mozambique). He has founded new universities in Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Cambodia, as well as Research Institutes in Qatar (CEDR, Qatar University) and Cambodia (Insti of Res. and Advanced Study, University of Cambodia).
Each course lasts 2 months and carries 3 credits, equivalent to American credits, which can then be transfered into Anerican Universities.
No degrees offered. Only basic courses in skills needed for American universities. English courses in Listening, Speaking, REading, Writing, Business English, and others. Non-English courses in Critical thinking and Logic, Internet searches, applied mathematics, philosophy and society, economics, psychology, etc.
A one-year, 10-course Foundation Year package is also available, as well as a 2-year, 20-course Associate package.
ROCC is an arm of John Zepp Academy Foundation Inc., a non-profit foundation. All proceeds from courses go to educational projects in Isabela Province, especially a kindergarten, a study center, and scholarships for deserving university students.
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