Analytic Reasoning

Course Structure

Classroom setting with students at tables and an instructor assisting a student

A menu of three-hour courses to taken from the first year onward, including:

AR210-MA Statistically Speaking

Who needs statistics in the 21st century? Anyone looking critically at numerical information who does not want to be misled by incorrect or inappropriate calculations or anyone dealing with issues in their environment, state/nation, or career would benefit from studying the methodology of statistics. These problems include finding ways to improve our environment and living standards or studies conducted in an effort to fight diseases. This course is an introduction to applied statistics in the natural, social, and managerial sciences through the use of current environmental and global issues. Topics include sampling, data analysis, experimental design, and the use of computer-based statistical software.

AR212-MA Win, Lose, or Draw

Why do we play games? Whatever the reason, games are a big piece of life. The world has played games for a long, long time — every time period, every culture. We will study games and gambling in our culture with an emphasis on casino games. To better understand games, students will study logic, sets, Venn diagrams, combinatorics, probability, and expectation.

AR220-CS Robot Programming

This introductory programming course features personal robots that can move, draw, and take digital pictures. Robot behaviors are programmed and controlled remotely using a high-level language such as Python from a desktop or laptop computer. Topics include conditional execution, repetition, defining functions, and using arrays. No prior programming experience required.

AR231-PL Principles of Reasoning

A survey of principles of reasoning used in a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, mathematics, statistics, the natural and social sciences, and law. Attention also will be paid to how to recognize and avoid fallacies.

Learning Objectives

  • To demonstrate capacities for quantitative and analytic reasoning.
  • To apply these capacities in a variety of practical contexts to the natural and social sciences.​​

Alternative Ways to Fulfill the AR Requirement

All students must fulfill the AR requirement. Most do so by taking a designated AR course at Butler. There are, however, alternative ways to satisfy the requirement. For more, see the Core Operating Manual linked to the Core Curriculum Menu on the side of this page.