by Nathaniel Bluedorn, Copyright May 19, 2008, all rights reserved. 4104 views
My family tried to use the first edition of the Introductory Logic text when it was authored by only Douglas Wilson and had no videos. It didn't work for us. The 3rd Edition was a significant improvement, and this 4th Edition is even better. Nance has raised this course to the top of its class.
The text teaches categorical syllogisms. Traditionally, the study of syllogisms comprised the largest portion of the study of logic. It is an important part of logic and needs to be grasped well. Nace also covers informal fallacies, but he does not do as good a job as he does with syllogisms.
The Introductory Logic video course by James Nance and Douglas Wilson, 4th Edition, contains:
I would not begin your studies in logic with this course. Students need an introduction which is less abstract and more fun and practical. I would compare the difficulty of this course with an Algebra II text.
Introductory Logic is often sold separate from the DVDs. I do not recommend using Introductory Logic without the videos. The Lessons in the text are too difficult for students without Mr. Nance's video lectures.
Publisher: Canon Press
Subjects Covered: Basic logic terminology, categorical syllogisms, logical fallacies, Christian philosophy of logic
Self-teaching: **** Explains concepts adequately well, without gaps, visual presentation, comprehensive exercises
Suggested Ages: 16-adult
Thoroughness: Covers foundational & traditional logic well
Best Features: Visual presentation, systematic structure, comprehensive exercises
Worst Features: Lectures are somewhat dry, logical fallacies are not well covered, lack of practical applications
The textbook is divided into 36 Lessons, with exercises for each lesson. The Answer Key booklet has the answers to these exercises. There are 8 tests in the Test Booklet which are to be used periodically throughout the course, and one Comprehensive Test at the end.
The 2 DVDs are divided into 20 Sessions. Each Session covers one or two Lessons in the textbook.
Mr. Nance's logic class at Logos School in Idaho uses three months of one hour classes, five days a week, to finish this course. We would expect that homeschool students will take a little longer longer time to finish this course. I think thirty minutes is a good time to spend each day. Every lesson in this course is difficult.
1 • Justin J. • May 26, 2008 • 8:40 AM
This is a great logic course.
2 • Tamara • August 21, 2008 • 4:02 PM
Very clear explanations. Any challenges were fun (not stressful), which made the class so valuable. Great new revision! Precise lesson layout with only a bite at a time. 30 min. 1 a week with supplemental fun reading of The Fallacy Detective for a year course (for those of us who desire to keep this a pleasant course w/o unnecessary pressure). 8th grade is perfect. Our second time using.
WISH LIST: a SEPARATE book of supplemental exercises per lesson to do (in the car for family fun!) for more practice before always moving onward.
OVERALL: Highly recommended. Nance is very linear, very easy to follow and pleasant attitude and countenance. We have no problem using it as a first course in logic so long as the pace is longer than a semester. Gives time to breathe. ; )
3 • Emma • January 08, 2009 • 7:56 PM
I wish there was a way to get the chapters up on this website!
4 • MS • February 28, 2009 • 12:29 AM
Odd—the text says it’s for 8th grade, but your recommendation is for 16yo and up. (That would put it in 11th, for most of us.) Is it your personal opinion that this is too hard for 8th graders?
5 • Shirley Magnuson • June 09, 2009 • 3:31 PM
How would you use Nance’s Logic course with the Fallacy Detective to make it more enjoyable?
6 • Tamara Willey • June 10, 2009 • 5:11 PM
We read the Logic text together and use a whiteboard to play with the concepts and discuss the patterns, etc. By having this relaxed “sharing time” together, it is less like school and more like spending an evening over a game of chess. We watch the video as a supplement in the evening for “tv time” or when we are puzzled by a concept in the text. He does sprinkle some interesting extras (explanations, illustrations, casual commentary, etc.) in the video that are worth viewing. We also don’t test—the proof of understanding is in the application in daily life and playing with the supplemental review material together.
I introduce the FD and then leave it in their “personal zones” and it gets read chapter by chapter by their own interest/choice and timing. I don’t assign it (that’s probably the key as to why it gets read). We do discuss informally. Interest in FD increases toward the end of Intro Logic.
This is not too hard for 8th graders and is most often recommended for junior high in homeschool catalogs of note. Logic is a relational subject so working with the students, rather than giving dry assignments, makes it enjoyable and do-able. I guess that is why I never encountered or noted any “dry lecture” problem. We don’t care to be entertained, but taught “just the point at hand” and we are well satisfied here. Just enough to whet their appetite for more (e.g. FD).
7 • Jayne Nasrallah • July 05, 2009 • 1:07 PM
Interested in taking your class. Please tell me how to sign up.
Thanks,
Jayne
