Introduction to Symbolic Logic
Instructor: Sean Landis
Office Hours: by appointment (my schedule is very flexible)
Phone: 609-980-8367
Email: landis@rowan.edu
Website: http://rowansymbolic07.blogspot.com
Required Text
The Logic Book, 4th edition with CD-ROM (Merrie Bergman, James Moor & Jack Nelson)
About the Course
This course is designed to introduce students to formal philosophical systems of logic. We first go over useful tools of logic, such as the notion of truth preservation and methods for evaluating deductive arguments. We then learn two systems of logic: (1) propositional and (2) predicate. We focus particular attention on translating English sentences into these formal systems. We then apply the tools of logic learned during the first part of the course to particular statements and arguments within these formal systems. We focus particular attention on learning and following logical derivations of new statements from sets of old statements.
Assignments
Quizzes 1 and 2: 50 points each (100 points total)
Exams 1 and 2: 200 points each (400 points total)
Final Exam: 300 points
Homework: 15 points each (150 points total)
Attendance/Participation: 50 points
Total Possible Points: 1000
Grades
A+ = 967-1000 total points
A = 934-966 total points
A- = 900-933 total points
B+ = 867-899 total points
B = 834-866 total points
B- = 800-833 total points
C+ = 767-799 total points
C = 734-766 total points
C- = 700-733 total points
D+ = 667-699 total points
D = 634-666 total points
D- = 600-633 total points
F = below 600 total points
Quizzes: Quizzes will not be cumulative. That is, quiz #1 will test you on everything covered during the first 4 weeks of class, and quiz #2 will test you on everything covered after exam #1 (weeks 7 through 9). Quizzes will last 20 minutes, and be held at the beginning of class on the scheduled day.
Exams 1 & 2: Strictly speaking, the first two exams and the quizzes will not be cumulative. That is, exam #1 will test you on everything covered during the first third of the course, and exam #2 will test you only on what we cover after exam #1. These exams will last about 60 minutes on the scheduled day.
Make-up exams or quizzes will only be scheduled for any excused absences (excused absences include religious observance, official university business, and illness or injury – with a doctor’s note). An unexcused absence on the day of the exam or quiz will result in a zero on that exam or quiz.
Final Exam: The final exam is cumulative. That is, the final exam will test you on everything covered throughout the entire course—not simply what is covered after exam #2. The final exam will be longer than the first two exams. You will have the full 2 ½ hours of class time to take the final exam.
Homework Assignments: There will be eleven total homework assignments. Each one is due at the beginning of class the day they are due. I will not accept homework at any other time, unless you have an excused absence. Usually, homework will consist of problems from the textbook. Occasionally, however, I will hand out a homework worksheet. There are eleven homework assignments, but only ten will count toward your final grade. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.
Expectations
Logic can be difficult. In order for most students to fully understand the material (and do well on the tests), I do not believe it is enough to simply attend class and work on the relatively few homeworks assigned. Looking at the schedule, you will see that there is assigned reading for each class. You should come to class having already read what will be discussed that day. It may seem confusing to you when you are first reading it, but it will give you a much better chance of understanding what is going on during class.
You should also work on additional, unassigned problems on your own. The best way to do this is to work on the a, c, e, g, … problems in the textbook, and check your answers with the solution CD-ROM. I strongly encourage using the CD-ROM. It does an excellent job of explaining how to approach and work through logic problems.
Classroom Policies
Academic Integrity: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students found guilty of either will definitely fail the test, quiz, or homework assignment – and possibly the entire class. NOTE: Working with fellow students on homework assignments is not cheating. Copying a fellow student’s completed homework assignment is cheating. (Come to me if you are unsure what constitutes cheating or plagiarism.)
Disability Accommodations: If you have special requirements let me know as soon as possible so we can make all necessary arrangements. Disability status is confidential and should be discussed in private with the instructor once you have done the appropriate verification procedures.
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