Philosophy 120 - Symbolic Logic
Fall Quarter 2012

Dr. Padvorac
Office Hours: 11:30 – 12:30 daily and by appointment
Office: R230 K
Phone: 425 – 564 – 2091
Email: wmuta5@yahoo.com

Skype handle: padvoraclogic

Text: A Concise Introduction to Logic, 10th Edition, by Patrick Hurley. You may use the 9th or the 11th edition instead if you wish. Please let me know if you intend to do this. The textbook is required.

Course Description: We shall investigate several artificial languages (symbolic systems) that have been constructed for the purpose of better analyzing mathematics and language. We will focus on understanding ordinary language from the perspective of these symbolic systems. After completing this class, students should have developed a more precise understanding of language, an improved ability to reason sequentially, especially in problem solving, an improved ability to reason abstractly, and a better understanding of how to correctly justify beliefs.

At some point, you may wonder why we are doing so much with symbols. The symbols bear relationship to natural language, but we will seldom actually work with natural language. The point of taking this class, though, is not to learn how to do truth tables or proofs. Truth tables and proofs are a means to an end (and humans have learned, over the last 2000 years, that they are a very expedient means to this end): doing logic will teach you new ways to think. Truth tables and proofs will build new neural pathways in your brain. So this is the goal: the desire is that after taking this class you will not just have more information; you will actually BE more intelligent.

Evaluation:

Exams: There will be three timed exams. The first two will be worth 22% of your grade each, and will be completed through the Canvas course site. These exams must be completed by the time listed.

Exam 1: October 18 - 20th

Exam 2: November 15 - 17^th

The final exam will be proctored. It is worth 31% of your grade. You have three options for the final exam:

1. Take the final on campus on December 4^th (at a time to be specified later). I will be proctoring this myself. You will need to bring some form of picture identification. This exam will be given on paper, so you will need to bring a writing utensil as well.

2. If you cannot make that time, you can arrange to have the test proctored at the Bellevue College Library at some time on December 4th. You will need some form of picture identification and a writing utensil. I need to have the test in my possession by 5pm on December 4^th if you are using this option.

3. If you prefer, you may use an approved proctoring center. (Please find a center and then contact me for approval.) You will need some form of picture identification. Proctoring centers will charge fees (the ones I’ve looked at range between $30-40), and you are responsible for those fees. I need to have the test in my possession by 5pm on December 4^th if you are using this option.

You will need to inform me of your choice of testing method no matter which method you choose. You need to choose by midnight on November 5^th. If you do not make a choice by that time, you will default into option 1 with no opportunity to change.

Homework assignments: There will also be homework assignments from the text and from the supplemental homework document. These are, taken together, worth 25% of your grade. They are not graded; you get the points merely for doing them. You must turn in the homework on the exact day that they are due. Please refer to the “Schedule of Assignments and Due Dates” for instructions regarding the submission of homework assignments.

Please note that sometimes discussion board posting assignments will pop up in the middle of one of the Weekly Content mini lectures. These are required as well, and will be figured into your homework grade.

Also please note: I consider the use of proper grammar, spelling, and etiquette to be a sign of respect for myself and, more importantly, for your fellow classmates. Repeated gross failure to use proper grammar, spelling, and etiquette on the discussion boards and in emails will adversely affect your grade. Chatspeak is not appropriate for an academic environment and will be graded accordingly.

If you are concerned about your grammar and spelling skills, please let me know, and I will give you whatever help I can.

Grading:

I do not give I’s, except in extraordinary situations, and only when I am forewarned of inability to complete assignments. HW's are only to be used when there is an actual hardship that is not within the control of the student.

Please see the document "Grading" on your course's main page for the list of the correlation between percentage scores and letter grades.

Extra Credit: There are two ways to earn extra credit in this class.

First, there are always more homework to be done. If you wish, you may contact me for a list of extra credit homework that go with each group of homework. However, if you wish to get extra credit for extra credit homework, you must make sure that you have completely finished all the regular credit homework assigned up to the point at which you request more.

Second, there will be at times during the quarter where I will be available to meet you in person on the Bellevue College campus. At these times, I will be able to look at the homework you are doing, watch you do problems, and help you with your weak spots. The times I will be available for this will be announced throughout the quarter, and extra credit will be available to attendees.

Late Work and Participation:

I will not accept late homework, nor will I open tests early or close them late. You have been given the due dates of the homework assignments and the tests now so that you may plan around them. I invariably will hold you to these due dates. If you cannot meet these due dates, there is no shame in that, because they are very rigorous; please drop the class and make room for someone who has the time for it this quarter.

Plagiarism:

Any form of plagiarism or cheating will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Generally, a first offence will result in the loss of between 1-3 FULL LETTER GRADES from the final grade. Not knowing that one is cheating or plagiarizing, or not intending to plagiarize or cheat, does not excuse one from this penalty; you are responsible for knowing what plagiarism is and avoiding it. I reserve the right to fail the student (that is, to post an “F” as the final grade) in particularly obvious or egregious cases.

Please consult the BC student handbook for a definition of plagiarism, or contact the instructor.

Tutoring: Tutoring is available for students earning a C- or lower at no charge, through the Academic Success Center. There will also be group tutoring available beginning the second week of the quarter (or so). Further announcements about this will be made.

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of Disability Resource Center to establish their eligibility for accommodation. The DRC office will provide each eligible student with an accommodation letter.  Eligible students should review the accommodation letter with the instructor during the first week of the quarter.

Schedule: See the document "Schedule of Assignments and Due Dates" on your course main page.

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