Department of Philosophy Symbolic Logic I PHIL 120 (Section X50)
Winter 2020
Instructor: Hassan Masoud
Office: 2-67 Assiniboia Hall (Department of Philosophy) E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday 2:00 - 3:00 PM or by appointment
Course Location, Days & Time: CAB 281; Monday, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in symbolic logic which covers what is known as ‘elementary logic’. Symbolic logic is a mathematical model of logical reasoning. This course covers both sentential logic (or logic of propositions) and predicate logic (or logic of quantifiers). In each of sentential logic and predicate logic, three topics are discussed:
- Language and Syntax - Semantics
- Derivations
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:
The goal of the first topic, roughly, is to learn how to translate sentences from natural language to a symbolic language; the second topic is concerned with the interpretation of symbolic sentences; and the third with giving proofs (derivations) by using inference rules. The proof method adopted in this course is natural deduction.
Course Format:
In each session, a series of logical concepts and methods are taught. Lectures are often short, but followed by many examples. Almost half of the time of each class is devoted to working on exercises and doing real logical work including carrying out proofs.
Required Textbook:
There is a required textbook for this course. It is titled Formal Logic, written by Paul Gregory, published by Broadview in 2017. The book is available in the University Bookstore. This is a well- written and well-organized book full of exercises with solutions. The questions of the assignments and exams will be similar to the exercises of the book.
Additional Course Fees: N/A
2 Important Dates:
First Day of Class: Jan. 6 Add/Delete Date: Jan. 17 50% Withdrawal Date: Feb. 5 Withdrawal Date: Apr. 1 Last Day of Class: Apr. 8 Final Exam Date: Apr. 6
Date of Deferred Final Exam: N/A
Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:
Week Dates Unit Topic Reading Assignments
1 Jan. 6
1 Sentential logic:
Language
Chapter 1
2 Jan. 13 Chapter 2
3 Jan. 20 2 Sentential logic:
Semantics Chapter 3 Assignment 1 due
4 Jan. 27
3 Sentential logic:
Derivations Chapter 4
5 Feb. 3 Assignment 2
due
6 Feb. 10 Midterm Exam at 6:00 PM
Feb. 17 Reading week; No class
7 Feb. 24
4 Predicate logic:
Language Chapter 5
8 Mar. 2 9 Mar. 9
5 Predicate logic:
Semantics Chapter 6
10 Mar. 16 Assignment 3
due 11 Mar. 23
6 Predicate logic:
Derivations Chapter 7
12 Mar. 30 Assignment 4
due
Apr. 6 Final Exam at 6:00 PM
Components of Course Grade:
20%: Assignments (4 homework assignments, worth 5% each) 35%: Midterm exam
45%: Final exam
3 Assignments:
Questions of the assignments will be given 10 days before the due date. For the due dates of the homework assignments refer to the schedule above. Assignments are collected at the beginning of class. Assignments handed in after 6 PM are regarded 1 day late.
Policy for Late Assignments:
Extensions for assignments can only be granted for serious reasons and if you email me before the due time. Late assignments will be penalized 1% (from the total of 5%) per day. Assignments will not be accepted later than 3 days after the due time.
Exams:
The midterm exam will be on Feb. 10th, at the usual time of the class. The midterm consists of questions similar to those of the assignments.
The final exam is scheduled to be on Tuesday, Apr. 6th, at 6 PM. The final exam is cumulative with an emphasis on the topics discussed after midterm. The questions of the final exam will be similar to the questions of the assignments.
Past Evaluative Material: Sample exams will be made available through eClass.
Grading:
Marks for assignments and exams are given in percentages. The percentage mark resulting from the entire term work and examination then produces the final letter grade for the course, according to the table below (“Department of Philosophy Undergraduate Grading Scale”).
Percentage Letter grade 4-point value Descriptor
95.0-100 A+ 4.0
Excellent
90.0-94.9 A 4.0
85.0-89.9 A- 3.7
80.0-84.9 B+ 3.3
Good
75.0-79.9 B 3.0
70.0-74.9 B- 2.7
67.0-69.9 C+ 2.3
Satisfactory
63.0-66.9 C 2.0
60.0-62.9 C- 1.7
57.0-59.9 D+ 1.3 Poor
50.0-56.9 D 1.0 Minimal pass
0-49.9 F 0 Failure
The final mark will be absolute, and no curves will be applied.
4 Attendance:
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. However, there are no attendance marks for this course.
Missed Tests and Assignments:
Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Deferred Final Examination: For information on how to apply for a deferred exam see “I Missed my Final Exam, Now What?”
Student Responsibilities:
Academic Integrity: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online here) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process.
Recording of Lectures: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be announced in class and posted on eClass. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Student Resources:
The best all-purpose website for student services is: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Note: The Student Success Centre has changed its name. It is now the Academic Success Centre and Student Accessibility Services is now called Accessibility Resources.
Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Behaviour:
The new Academic Integrity website:
https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-resources/academic-integrity.
5 Accessibility Resources: (1 – 80 SUB)
The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment at the University of Alberta.
The Academic Success Centre: (1-80 SUB)
The Academic Success Centre offers a variety of workshops on effective study and exam strategies. There are in-person and online sessions available for a modest fee.
The Centre for Writers: (1-42 Assiniboia Hall)
The Centre for Writers offers free one-on-one writing support to students, faculty, and staff.
Students can request consultation for a writing project at any stage of development. Instructors can request class visits and presentations.
Health and Wellness Support:
There are many health and community services available to the University community. See here for students and here for faculty and staff.
Office of the Student Ombuds:
The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and financial difficulties.
Learning and working environment:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.
Sexual Violence Policy:
It is the policy of the University of Alberta that sexual violence committed by any member of the University community is prohibited and constitutes misconduct. Resources and more information can be found at https://www.ualberta.ca/campus-life/sexual-violence
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Note: Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.
Copyright: Hassan Masoud, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta 2019
