Logical Fallacies With the Fallacy Detective

We have started this class already but it is not too late to join!  

Sometimes, we sense that an argument is not quite right but without knowing why, we are inclined to accept the assertion as fact.  This class will use the text "The Fallacy Detective" by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn to discover some of the most frequently used fallacies in order to better evaluate ideas and assertions that we all encounter in our day-to-day lives.  Learning this will also help us to provide better evidence for our own arguments. 

There will be assigned reading each week so that our class time can focus on discussions, resolving any misunderstandings, and testing out the learned types of fallacies on some real-to-life examples.   Depending on the number of students, the final few classes will include a short time of sharing those examples found in real life with the rest of us.  

Special note to parents/guardians-  Students who take this class will begin more critical thinkers as they learn to recognize faulty logic. As parents and caregivers, we sometimes use faulty logic as well. Of course, no of us are perfect. Previous students and families have shared many examples of how a student trained in spotting logical fallacies can sometimes challenge parenting policies or advice.  It's funny to think about now and it will be funny in later years, but it may push your button at the wrong time. Just so you know, you have been warned....

#1. Chs. 1-3 (setting up expectations for class and how we will approach logical fallacies)
#2. Chs. 4 and 5 (you lost your balance)
#3. Chs. 6, 7 and 12 (personal attacks)
#4. Chs. 8 and 9 (consider the source)
#5. Chs. 10 and 11 ("those" people can't be wrong, can they?")
#6. Chs. 14 and 17 (foregone conclusions)
#7. Chs. 15, 16 and 18 (how do you get there from here?)
#8. Chs. 19, 20 and 21 (fuzzy math)
#9. Chs. 22 and 23 (is that what you got from that?)
#10. Chs. 24 and 25 (I'll give you an example) 
#11. Chs. 26, 27 and 28 (which came first, the chicken or the egg?)
#12. Chs. 30 and 31 (the sky is falling!!!!) 
#13. Chs. 32 and 33 (we're all going to die!!!) 
#14. Chs. 34 and 35 (you're getting very sleepy
#15. Chs. 36 and 37 (is it new and improved or is it a classic?)