Philosophy 120: Symbolic Logic (previously Phil 106)

Dr. Payne Padvorac
Fall Quarter 2012

 

Office Hours: 11:30 – 12:30 T Th and by appointment           Office: R230 K

Phone: 425 – 564 – 2091                                                        Email: wmuta5@yahoo.com

 

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.

 

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.

 

Evaluation: There will be three in-class exams, each worth 100 points.

         

There will also be homework from the text. These will be assigned in class. Homework must be turned in not later than two weeks after it is assigned. Each is worth two points. There will be no credit for late and/or sloppy homework. I will explain the appropriate format for homework in class. Homework must not deviate from the assigned format.

There are approximately 368 points available. Up to 5 additional points may be awarded by me based solely on my perception of your attendance and participation.

 

Grading: I do not give I’s, except in extraordinary situations, and only when I am forewarned of inability to complete assignments.

The following percentages are out of the total possible points.

 

            93 – 100%: A               90 – 92%: A-               88 – 89%: B+             

            83 – 87%: B                80 – 82%: B-               78 – 79%: C+

            73 – 77%: C                70 – 72%: C-               68 – 69%: D+

            60 – 67%: D                Below 60%: F

 

Late Work and Attendance: I do not accept late homework, and missed exams may be made up only if I have given my permission before the exam happens. Attendance at the final exam is mandatory. 4 or more absences will result in a failing grade.

 

Plagiarism: Any form of plagiarism or cheating will be prosecuted as follows: On the first offense, you will get a 0 on the plagiarized assignment, with no opportunity to make it up. Additionally, you will lose at least one and not more than three letter grades off your FINAL grade. (Obvious or egregious cases may result in failure in the class on first offence.) On the second offense, you will fail the class.

Please consult the BC student handbook for a definition of plagiarism, or contact the instructor. Keep in mind that excuses such as "I didn't know this counts as plagiarism" and "I did not intend to plagiarize" are NOT acceptable excuses for avoiding penalty. It is the responsibility of each student to make certain that he or she is avoiding plagiarism.

 

Tutoring: Tutoring is available for students earning a C- or lower at no charge, through the Academic Success Center. If there is enough interest, there may also be group tutoring available to anyone. See the instructor if interested.

 

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of the Disability Resource Center, in B132 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.

 

Approximate Schedule:

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule as needed. Any such changes will be announced in class.

 

Sept 18                 Introduction; Language; Deduction/Induction

Sept 20                 Logical Form; Symbols

Sept 25                Scope and Main Connectives

Sept 27                Truth Tables

Oct 2                     Short Methods

Oct 4                     Translations; Review Day

Oct 9                     Holiday; no class

Oct 11                  Exam 1

Oct 16                  Proofs; Implicational Argument Forms

Oct 18                 Implicational Argument Forms Continued

Oct 23                  Equivalence Argument Forms

Oct 25                  Proof Strategy; Conditional Proof

Oct 30                  Indirect Proof

Nov 1                    Review Day

Nov 6                    Exam 2

Nov 8                    Predicate Logic

Nov 13                  Translations

Nov 15                  Proofs

Nov 20                  Quantifier Negation

Nov 22                  Holiday; no class

Nov 27                  Conditional/Indirect Proof

Nov 29                  Relational Logic; Identity

Dec 3                    Review Day

 

Final Exam at Scheduled Time: Thursday, December 6, at 11:30 am