Instructor: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik
Office: James Bldg, Rm. #266
Voice: 951.343.4288 / Fax: 951.343.4520
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu


 Logic

MAT / PHI 300 (Main Campus)

MWF,
1:25am-2:20pm, YC B258

California Baptist University
Fall Semester, 2006

 

This course comprises a systematized study of the canons and criteria of validity in thought and its rational expression. It covers the processes of reasoning and inference with applications in propositional logic, natural deduction, predicate logic and induction. The course is cross-listed for upper division credit in mathematics or philosophy.

 

By the end of the semester, students should grasp the fundamentals of formal reasoning, understand and demonstrate the use of sentential and predicate logics, know how to identify, formalize and analyze the presence or absence of logically formulated discourse in snippets of academic and everyday discourse, and be able to craft formally valid and so truth-preserving discourse with the instructor and classmates in oral and written assignments.


Required Texts

 

Alan Housman, Howard Kahane & Paul Tidman, Logic and Philosophy: A Modern Introduction 10th edition (Thomas Wadsworth, 2007)

 

Suggested Supplemental Reading—Graham Priest, Logic: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2000)

Class Readings & Discussion Schedule

  Week #1
  (Sep 6/8)

  Introduction to course, requirements and expectations
  Introduction to logic
  Discuss chapter 1 in text / Exercise 1-3: problems 1-9 all (in class)

  Week #2
  (Sep 11/13/15) 

  Ch. 2     Symbolizing in Sentential Logic
  Ex 2-1: p1-9     Ex 2-2: p1-5 all      Ex 2-3: p1-7    Ex 2-4: p5-11         
  Ex 2-5: p3-7     Ex 2-6: p5-11     Ex 2-8: p1-5, 15-19        [31]

  Week #3 
  (Sep 18/20/22)

  Ch. 3     Truth Tables
  Ex 3-1: p11-15     Ex 3-2: p1-5     Ex 3-3: p3, 5     Ex 3-4: p5-9
  Ex 3-6: p5-11     Ex 3-7: p3, 5, 11     Ex 3-8: p3-7     Ex 3-9: p1-5
  Ex 3-11: p1, 5          [26]

  Week #4
  (Sep 25/27/29)

  Ch. 4     Proofs
  Ex 4-1: p1, 5     Ex 4-2: p5, 9     Ex 4-3: p3, 7, 11     Ex 4-4: p3, 7
  Ex 4-5: p5, 11     Ex 4-6: p3, 11     Ex 4-7: p5, 9     Ex 4-9: p11, 13      [17]
  29 – no face-to-face class meeting

  Week #5
  (Oct 2/4/6)

  Ch. 4     Proofs
  Ex 4-10: p5, 9     Ex 4-11: p7     Ex 4-13: p3          [4]

 
Ch. 5     Conditional & Indirect Proofs          Ex 5-1: p1, 3     Ex 5-3: p5, 7
  Ex 5-5: p1-5     Ex 5-6: p5, 7     Ex 5-7: p3-7     Ex 5-9: p3, 7, 15          [15]

  Week #6
  (Oct 9/11/13) 

  Ch. 7     Predicate Logic Symbolization          Ex 7-1: p1-7     Ex 7-2: p1-5
  Ex 7-3: p1, 5, 9     Ex 7-4: p7-13     Ex 7-5: p1, 5, 13     Ex 7-6: p1, 5, 9
  Ex 7-7: p5-11     Ex 7-9: p1, 7     Ex 7-10: p11-17          [30]

  Week #7
  (Oct 16/18/20)

  16 – catch-up/review; Midterm Exam on 18 or 20, per class choice
  (Midterms Week)

  Week #8
  (Oct 23/25/27) 

  Ch. 8     Predicate Logic Semantics
  Ex 8-1: p3-7     Ex 8-2: p1-5     Ex 8-4: p1, 5          [8 x 3 = 24]

  Week # 9
  (Oct 30/Nov 1/3)

  Ch. 9     Predicate Logic Proofs          Ex 9-1: p3, 7     Ex 9-2: p1, 5    
  Ex 9-3: p1, 5, 9     Ex 9-4: p5, 7     Ex 9-5: p1, 9, 19          [12 x 3 = 36]

  Week #10
  (Nov 6/8/10)

  Ch. 10     Relational Predicate Logic
  Ex 10-1: p1, 7, 13     Ex 10-3: p7, 17, 23     Ex 10-4: p5-9, 13
  Ex 10-6: p5, 7     Ex 10-7: p9-15   [16 x 2 = 32]

Week #11
  (Nov 13/15/17)

  Ch. 10     Relational Predicate Logic
  Ex 10-8: p3, 7     Ex 10-9: p1, 5     Ex 10-10: p5, 13
  Ex 10-12: p3-7     Ex 10-13: p3     Ex 10-14: p5      [11 x 2 = 22]

Week #12
  (Nov 20/22/24)

  20 – catch-up/review
  22/24 – Thanksgiving Break

Week #13
  (Nov 27/29/Dec 1)

  Ch. 18  Alternative Logics: Modal, Epistemic, Deontic
   Handout Problems #1-4     [4 x 3 = 12]

Week #14
  (Dec 4/6/8)

  Catch-up and Review for Final Exam 

Week #15
  (Dec 11)

  Final Exam period (as set by University): 2:00-4:00pm




Assessment & Grading Scale

  Final Exam  = 30%

  90 – 100 = A range  (90-94 = A-)

  Midterm Exam = 30%

  80 - 89 = B range  (80-83 = B-  /  87-89 = B+)

  Homework = 30%  (249 points possible)

  70 - 79 = C range  (70-73 = C-  /  77-79 = C+)

  Discussion/Participation = 10%

  60 - 69 = D range  (60-63 = D-  /  67-69 = D+)

 

  0 - 59 = F

 

Homework

Homework assignments should be completed and submitted for marking no later than the first class meeting after the relevant section’s material is discussed in class. For example, if we discuss §2-1 on Monday, Sep 11, as planned, then the problems assigned for that section are due no later than Wednesday, Sep 13. Late homework is accepted up to one week (7 days) after their section is covered in class, but can earn only up to half-credit maximum.

 

Midterm Examination

There will be a midterm examination during midterms week, the exact day to be determined by class discussion and consensus or vote. The exam will cover all the topics nominated from the beginning of the semester. The exam is closed book, closed notes. Midterm Examination make-ups – you must arrange a make-up with me before the examination is given, not after. No exceptions.

 

Final Examination

There will be a final examination during the day/time set by the University. The exam is cumulative, though the principal focus of the questions will be on post-midterm materials. The exam is closed book, closed notes. Final Examination make-ups – no make-ups will be arranged for the final exam. No exceptions. 

 

Participation

Active participation will constitute 10% of your final grade. This means not only regular attendance and homework submission, but contribution to discussions and visible willingness to contribute during class sessions. In this regard, let me encourage you to form small study groups of 2-3 for mutual support throughout the semester.

 

Caveat

This syllabus is composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings, assignments and discussions which will guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructors reserve the right to make adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of the seminar. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.