Introductory Logic with Gregory Soderberg (Half-year)

Introductory Logic is an ideal course for middle school students or students who do not have prior training in logic. It will train students to think critically and reason carefully. Through a study of traditional categorical logic, they will acquire the essential tools of thinking that are part of the foundation of the Western intellectual tradition. Students will watch lectures by a veteran Logic teacher. They will complete assignments in the textbook to practice skills and gain mastery. In weekly recitations with Mr. Soderberg, students will discuss the material, share insights, and pursue wisdom together. This course is ideal for students who are ready for real accountability, assessments, and the opportunity to interact with their peers.

Note: this class meets the Science/Logic requirements for the Kepler Education diploma.

Class Format:

This 32-week course consists of four eight-week quarters. Each quarter students will be assigned pre-recorded lectures, exercises from the textbook, other audio or video resources, as well as a 1.5 hour live recitation with the instructor and other students. Assignments include: exercises for each lesson, quizzes and comprehension checks, and tests for each unit. In the course of the year, the students will complete the textbook, listen to all the lectures, and attend a minimum of 30 (ideally 32) live recitations to discuss the lessons in Socratic fashion.

Students will watch lectures by a veteran Logic teacher. They will complete assignments in a Workbook to practice skills and gain mastery. In weekly recitations with Mr. Soderberg, students will discuss the material, share insights, and pursue wisdom together.

Course Objectives:

1. Practice the art of defining terms and classifying statements.
2. Exercise our gifts of reason, which are part of being made in the image of God.
3. Gain mastery of reasoning through syllogisms.
4. Acquire the skill of simplifying arguments and analyzing their core logic.
5. Identify commonly used fallacies in logic.
6. Grow in the ability to reason clearly, in order to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty.

Texts:

• Introductory Logic: The Fundamentals of Thinking Well (Note: Roman Roads Media offers a 25% for Introductory Logic DVD lectures & textbooks for students at Kepler Education.)