PHI2100 (Section 1)

Introduction to Logic – Summer 07

Dr. Sean Allen-Hermanson  

Room: DM100                                                                    

Class time:  2 - 4:45 T/TR

Office:DM343a                                          

hermanso@fiu.edu

Office hours: by appointment only

 

Course Description and Objectives

 

This course is designed to help you acquire the critical tools that increase your ability to understand, analyze, evaluate, and construct arguments.  We will look at both the formal structure of arguments and the use of arguments in ordinary language.  We will study different kinds of reasoning, explore the nuances of language, and examine evidential connections between premises and conclusions.  By better understanding arguments, your ability to think rationally, discover the truth, and persuade others to accept your views will improve.

 

Text

 

Layman, C.S. (2003). The Power of Logic (3rd edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.

 

Course Requirements

 

1. Homework is not graded but it is highly recommended that you complete each and every homework assignment.  Logic cannot be learned passively.

 

2. Your grade comprises five tests:

 

First Test, Basic Concepts & Identifying Arguments: May 17 (20 %)

Second Test, Categorical Logic: May 31 (20%)

Third Test, Statement Logic -- Truth Tables:  June 7 (20%)

Fourth Test, Statement Logic -- Proofs: June 14 (20%)

Fifth Test, Statement Logic -- Conditional Proofs, Reductio ad absurdum, Theorems: June 21 (20%)

 

Nota bene

 

1. Students are expected to attend all lectures, keep up with the assigned reading, and complete the homework assignments.  All materials discussed in lectures and covered in the readings are potential bases for test and examination questions. 

2. There will be no make-up exams, or extra-credit assignments.  Exceptional cases will require adequate documentation (e.g. a doctorÕs note).

3. Online Learning Center: www.mhhe.com/layman3e.  The Online Center will tell you if you made a mistake in a given exercise.

4. To repeat: At the end of each class I will assign a homework assignment. The key to successfully learning the techniques in logic is to exercise them on a regular basis.   You are expected to be able to produce answers to homework exercises when called upon in class.

5. The test dates are subject to change.

Schedule

 

Week 1 (May 8/10):     Introduction: Basic Concepts

Reading:                                                                 Layman, chapter 1

 

Week 2 (May 15/17):                         Identifying Arguments

Reading:                                                                  chapter 2.1, 2.2.                   FIRST TEST MAY 17

 

Week 3 (May 22/24):                         Categorical Logic: Statements

Reading:                                                                  chapter 5.1-3

Week 4 (May 29/31):  Categorical Logic: Syllogisms                                            

Reading:                                                                  chapter 6.1-6.4                      SECOND TEST MAY 31                                                                                                            

Week 5 (June 5/7):      Statement Logic: Truth Tables

Reading:                                                                  chapter 7                                         THIRD TEST JUNE 7

 

Week 6 (June 12/14):  Statement Logic: Proofs

Reading:                                                                  chapter 8.1-8.3                       FOURTH TEST JUNE 14

 

Week 7 (June 19/21):  Proofs (CP, RAA and theorems)                                                               

Reading:                                                                  chapter 8.4-8.6                      FIFTH TEST JUNE 21                                                                                                                

Grading Scheme

 

A

90 and above

A-

80-89

B+

77-79

B

73-76

B-

70-72

C+

67-69

C

63-66

C-

60-62

D+

57-59

D

53-56

D-

50-52

F

Less than 50