Admission requirements
Required course(s):
None.
Description
The course provides an introduction to basic concepts and tools from logic and argumentation, needed for rigorous scientific reasoning and practice. In the second part of the course we turn to some basic concepts in the theory of knowledge and focus especially on Gettier cases, the problem of skepticism, context-sensitivity of knowledge and epistemology of testimony.
The students are trained in analytic and abstract thinking through the study the formal systems of propositional, predicate and modal/epistemic logic. They learn to identify reasoning patterns, test the validity of arguments and model epistemic situations.
The concepts and tools taught have broad applications in a variety of areas e.g. linguistics, psychology, philosophy, communication, cognitive science, computation, information theory and many more.
Course Objectives
Students acquire basic knowledge of logic, argumentation, and epistemology and become acquainted with applications in various disciplines.
After successfully completing the course, the student is able to (among many others):
Formalise and analyse reasoning in natural language
Identify reasoning patterns
Test validity of arguments
Effectively use logical concepts, such as consistency, equivalence, contradiction etc.
Solve complex problems by systematic reasoning and algorithmic thinking
Model semantic/epistemic situations
Critically analyse and understand complex epistemological concepts and diverse approaches
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2021-2022 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
The course will be taught through lectures and seminar. We use various learning formats to enhance learning experience of logic and epistemology such as team debates and challenges, gamification, role-play reading groups, discussion sessions and co-authored essay writing. Students are encouraged to work both individually and in groups.
Assessment Method
Logic exam (individual) 40%
Epistemology research project (group) 40%
Class participation (individual) 10%
Homework (individual/group) 10%
Students must submit all graded assignments with reasonable effort to be able to pass the course.
Students must always sit the final exam (when applicable) or submit the final graded assignment with reasonable effort in order to be able to pass the course. This applies to all courses offered at the Leiden University College.
Reading list
Required literature will be made available through Brightspace.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. Tamara Dobler, t.dobler@phil.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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