Symbolic Logic I Syllabus (Spring 2012)
Ch. 1 - Basic Concepts (weeks 1 - 2)
- 1.1. Arguments, Premises, and Conclusions
- 1.2. Recognizing Arguments
- 1.3. Deduction and Induction
- 1.4. Validity, Truth, Soundness, Strength, Cogency
- 1.5. Argument Forms: Proving Invalidity
Ch. 6 - Propositional Logic (weeks 3 - 8)
- 6.1. Symbols and Translation
- 6.2. Truth Functions
- 6.3. Truth Tables for Propositions
- 6.4. Truth Tables for Arguments
- 6.5. Indirect Truth Tables
- 6.6. Argument Forms and Fallacies
Spring Recess (week 9)
- March 19 - 25 - no class meetings
Ch. 7 - Natural Deduction
- 7.1 and 7.2 - Rules
of Implication
- 7.3 and 7.4 - Rules of Replacement
- 7.5. Conditional Proof
- 7.6. Indirect Proof
- 7.7. Proving Logical Truths
Ch. 8 - Predicate Logic
- 8.1. Symbols and Translation
- 8.2. Using the Rules of Inference
- 8.3. Change of Quantifier Rule
- 8.4. Conditional and Indirect Proof
- 8.5. Proving Invalidity
- 8.6 Relational Predicates and Overlapping Quantifiers
- 8.7. Identity
Course Description
This is a rigorous introduction to the principles, methods, strengths and
weaknesses of formal logical analysis. Students learn how to demonstrate that
a coherent proposition follows from a given set of such propositions and why
such inferences are logically consistent or valid. Topics include: basic concepts
of deductive logic, rules of derivation, techniques of formal proof in propositional
and predicate logic. The course satisfies area B5 of the GE program; 3 units.
Required course text: A
Concise Introduction to Logic
(2012) by Patrick Hurley, 11/e - only this edition will suffice. Students MUST buy the or rent the book, digital versions will not work.
- The entire papeback book itself is appx. $140 and available from the publisher here.
Chapters of the book are available online in PDF form from the publisher. DO NOT USE eCHAPTER PDFs.-
Access to an eBook version of the text for 6 months is appx. $80. DO NOT USE THE eBOOK.
WARNING: DO NOT USE digital versions of the text, these have proven to be cumbersome and do not allow sufficient printing of content. If you do purchase a digital version of the text, you will not be permitted to use it in class with any electronic device. Instead, students MUST bring hardcopies of relevant chapters with them to every class, because we will work through the exercises extensively. Print them out from the digital form you have access to and bring these to class. If you do not bring the relevant chapters to class each meeting, then you will not have access to material discussed in class and you will also be unable to take some in-class quizzes.
Assignments, Grades and Attendance
- EIGHT graded efforts of equal value comprise your course grade:
SIX in-class unannounced quizzes (12 pts. each),
TWO ONE online quiz (the midterm) scheduled and presented
within SacCT (13 pts.) and the final (13 pts.). The FINAL exam is an in-class quiz which will occur during finals week on 14 May 2012 at 12:45 p.m. Students may not re-take or make-up any quiz, absolutely, no exceptions. There are plenty of points
available so that one can miss a quiz and still do well in the course.
- There will be no special treatment. No one can take any quiz after it has closed. There is no extra work or credit offered and students cannot re-take or make-up any quiz, absolutely, no exceptions. There isn't time for this and it is unfair to give people special consideration. There are plenty of points
available so that one can miss a quiz and still do well in the course. See the FAQ section 1 for a fuller rationale.
- Please keep track of your own grades via SacCT, I don't do grade
checks, since you can do it for yourself.
- When and where is the final for this course? The FINAL exam is an in-class quiz which will occur during finals week on 14 May 2012 at 12:45 p.m.
- Students may NOT use phones, laptops,
or recording devices during class meetings. They are unnecessary
distractions and disrupt the class. Why? Here is
my argument. Persistently disruptive students will
be warned, identified and dismissed.
- Here is my official
grade-scale for ALL assignments:
- 12 or above = A, 11 = A-, 10 = B+,
9 = B, 8 = B-, 7 = C+, 6 = C, 5 = C-, 3 = D, less than 3 = F
- How are grades assigned?
- For each graded effort you will receive a numerical score which
corresponds to a letter-grade on my grade-scale (above). Scores correspond
to letter-grades NOT percentages.
- How do I determine your overall course grade?
- There are 98 total points available. I add the scores you
earn on all of the quizzes, divide this
total by 7, then assign the letter-grade based on my grade-scale
(above). For instance, if one earns a total of 55 points, divide this
by 7, the result is a 7.86 which corresponds to a C+ on my letter-grade
scale. Thus, one receives a C+ for the course. Since rounding introduces
error, I will not round scores up or down. Overall course grade
= total points earned divided by 7, then apply my official grade scale.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- translate English sentences into the language
of Propositional and Quantificational Logic;
- apply Truth Table and Truth Tree methods to identify propositions (and
sets of propositions) as tautologous, consistent, contradictory, equivalent,
contingent or
necessary and test logical arguments (comprised of such propositions) for
validity and soundness;
- use Rules of Inference and Replacement to construct proofs that show
that a formal argument is or is not deductively valid.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide
disability documentation to SSWD,
Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss accommodation needs with
me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.
Review all academic responsibilities, definitions, sanctions and rights
described here.