Introductory Logic Video Tape Series
by James B. Nance
Reviewed by Martha Robinson
Purchase details: Introductory Logic Video Series, with James B. Nance, instructor. Third edition (video tapes) reviewed. $55 for 4th edition - 4 DVD's. Published by Logos School. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying this program from our Christian Book Distributors link.
James B. Nance, a teacher of logic and other advanced courses at Logos School, teaches from the book he co-authored with Douglas Wilson, Introductory Logic, in this three video tape series. The tapes are divided into twenty segments; however, the segments of the tape do not directly correspond to the chapters in the book. Each segment has a brief title that shows the name and the pages covered in the text.
The first tape begins with beautiful pictures and nice music in the background while the narrator gives an overview of why Christians should study logic. After being introduced by the narrator, Mr. Nance gives a lengthy lecture on logic with a Christian worldview. Mr. Nance expounds on the introduction page of the text with much extra material.
Mr. Nance continues to present lessons as they appear in the text with occasional additional examples. Writing as he talks, the instructor uses the chalk board extensively in the formal logic section. In "Informal Fallacies," Mr. Nance briefly goes over the material in the book, and adds a few more examples. He does not review the worksheets or the six tests and final exam that are in the test booklet.
Three lessons appear on the video that are not in the text. In the first bonus lesson, after "immediate inference," Mr. Nance shows how to use Venn diagrams to test validity of syllogisms. In the next extra lesson, he explains how to go from a hypothetical to a categorical, or changing "if-then" statements into syllogisms. In "Conclusions and Additional Materials," the final lesson of the tape series, Mr. Nance discusses the value of learning logic with a quotation from Dorothy Sayers, who says that it is "to detect and expose invalid inference." He suggests many logic books for additional study, including his Intermediate Logic and other logic books for Christian scholars, as well as games to improve logical thinking such as chess, Mastermind, and Mind Trap.
Recommendation: While Mr. Nance begins the series with a bit of nervousness, he soon relaxes and produces a video that is sure to be helpful to students using this book. The coordination between the tapes, text, and test booklet could be better, but if you look in the test booklet first, you will know which sections go together and when to take a test. A parent would probably need to do the program with the student to help in addressing any confusion or problems with the worksheets and tests, since they are not reviewed in the tape series. If you are planning to use Introductory Logic these tapes will definitely make studies easier.
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
HomeschoolChristian.com's Classical Education Section
An Interview with Douglas Wilson, co-author of Introductory Logic
Review of Introductory Logic by Douglas Wilson and James Nance
Review of Douglas Wilson's books on classical education
Review of Logic I, Tools for Thinking by Norman Birkett
Review of Material Logic by Martin Cothran
Review of Traditional Logic by Martin Cothran
Review of Traditional Logic II by Martin Cothran
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