PHIL 2303, CRN 53497, Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Fall 2011
M/W 11:00-12:30pm, West Loop Center, Rm.
Instructor: Dane Gogoshin
dane.gogoshin1@hccs.edu
Learning web address: http://learning.swc.hccs.edu
(Go to the faculty search box and type “Gogoshin”)
Course Description
(3 Credit Hours - Lecture)
An introduction to Symbolic Logic, focusing on both Propositional and Predicate
Logic, emphasizing the rules of translating language into symbols, the rules of
inference and replacement, and the mechanism of reasoning used by computers.
(HCCS Catalog). Accordingly, this course settles on the technical side of deductive
reasoning and its correct applications for the construction and testing of formal symbolized
arguments. Students learn how to recognize and analyze the intricacies of relational
meaning in language while they acquire the tools to best express such meaning in a
systematically ordered, clear and concise fashion. This course fulfills HCCS CORE
mathematics requirement.
Course Content
The methods and skills acquired in this course inform and enhance all core competencies in
critical thinking, including but not limited to translation, logical demonstration and proof,
rules of inference, and various methods for testing validity. Computer knowledge, word
processing skills, and data base learning and research skills are necessary to complete this
course. Help is available for students who lack these skills upon entering this course.
Prerequisites
Must be placed into college level reading (or take GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and be
placed into college level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349 as a co-requisite).
Course Goals
Among its goals, this course meets the HCCS core mathematics competency, and though it
is not a writing course per se, its enhancement of clear, systematic thinking skills, and
inclusion of reading, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy make it a
comprehensive core course. Specifically, students will:
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Learn the meaning of the word logic, its historic origins in ancient and medieval cultures, its contemporary
development and normative character.
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Form new and improved logical habits of thought.
Discover the relations between logic, mathematics and everyday language
Develop an understanding of validity in deductive argument
Learn the difference between a logical form and an instance of that form
Master the rules of logical inference and replacement.
Grasp the idea of proof in logic and its relation to truth in understanding.
Cultivate an understanding of logics practical applications.
Required Course Materials
Textbook Information:
Klenk//Understanding Symbolic Logic//Prentice Hall//5th Edition//ISBN 0-13-020142-1
Other:
10 scantrons, #2 pencils
Course Schedule
This calendar is intended to be only a guide for study. Assignments and dates may
vary according to the demands of learning and unforeseen difficulties. All the
same, should any changes occur, students will be notified both verbally in-class
and/or by e-mail.
Part One: Sentential Logic
Week One
Sessions 1 & 2
Chapter 1
Introduction to Logic
Week Two
Sessions 3 & 4
Chapter 2
The Structure of Sentential Logic
Week Three
Exercises [without the asterisk] (30-31)
Sessions 5 & 6
Chapter 3
Computing Truth Values
Exercises [without the asterisk] (48-49)
Week Four
Sessions 7 & 8
Chapter 4
Symbolizing English Sentences
Week Five
Exercises [without the asterisk] (67-69)
Sessions 9 & 10
Chapter 5
Truth Tables for Testing Validity
Exercises [without the asterisk] (87-90)
Session 10
Week Six
Sessions 11 & 12
Chapter 6
Further Applications of Truth Table Method
Exercises [without the asterisk] (103-106)
Week Seven
Session 13
Exam One
Week Seven
Session 14
Chapter 7
The Proof Method: Basic Inference Rules
Exercises [without the asterisk] (134-141)
Week Eight
Sessions 15 & 16
Chapter 7
The Proof Method: Basic Inference Rules
Exercises [without the asterisk] (134-141)
Week Nine
Sessions 17 & 18
Chapter 8
Replacement Rules
Exercises [without the asterisk] (163-168)
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Week Ten
Session 19
Chapter 8
Replacement Rules
Exercises [without the asterisk] (163-168)
Session 20
Exam Two
Week Eleven
Sessions 21 & 22
Chapter 9
Conditional Proof and Indirect Proof
Exercises [without the asterisk] (190-193)
Sessions
22
Part Two:
Monadic Predicate Logic
Week Twelve
Session 23
Chapter 10
Singular Sentences
Exercises [without the asterisk] (202-203)
Session 24
Chapter 11
Quantifiers
Exercises [without the asterisk] (215-217)
Week Thirteen
Session 25
Chapter 12
Categorical Propositions
Exercises [without the asterisk] (238-241)
Session 26
Chapter 13
Complex Subjects and Predicates
Exercises [without the asterisk] (252-255)
Week Fourteen
Sessions 27 & 28
Chapter 14
Quantifier Form and Truth-Functional
Compounds of Quantifier Statements
Exercises [without the asterisk] (262-264)
Week Fifteen
Session 29
Chapter 15
Proofs in Predicate Logic
Exercises [without the asterisk] (286-289)
Take-Home Test #4
Session 30
Chapter 16
Invalidity in Quantifier Logic
Exercises [without the asterisk] (302-304)
Week Sixteen
Session 31
Exam Three (FINAL)
Grading Policy
Each assignment will receive a grade based on a 100 point scale. The final grades will be
assessed according to the following percentages.
A = 90% to 100%
B = 80% to 89.9%
C = 70% to 79.9%
D = 60% to 69.9%
F = 0% to 59.9%
Your final grade average will be constituted according to the following percentages:
Quizzes - 40 %
Exam I - 20%
Exam 2 – 20%
Exam 3 - 20%
Missed quizzes may not be made up. However, at the end of the semester, one or more make-up quizzes will be offered
and the lowest quiz grade will be dropped (independently of taking a make-up quiz).
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Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability
Support Service Counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri, 713-718-7909, at the beginning of the
semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested
by the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS). Students who are requesting special
testing accommodations must first contact the office.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited by HCC policy
and by the rules of this class.
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Plagiarism is the use of the ideas or words of another person, either whole or in part,
without crediting the source and constitutes the theft of another person’s intellectual
property. It is the most common form of academic dishonesty. If you are unclear as
to what constitutes plagiarism, you should seek clarification before beginning an
assignment.
Cheating involves fraud and deception for the purpose of violating legitimate testing
rules. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying from another student’s test,
using during an exam materials or resources not authorized by the instructor;
collaborating with another student during a test; knowingly using, buying, selling
whole or part of an unadministered test.
Academic dishonesty constitutes a severe violation of HCC policy and rules and is subject to
stringent penalties. Violations of these policies can result, at a minimum, in the
automatic failure of the assignment or the class. Severe violations could result in
suspension or expulsion from HCC.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policies
HCC Students are expected to attend class regularly. A daily record of absences will be
maintained throughout the semester.
NOTE: IT IS THE RESPONSBILITY OF THE
STUDENT TO DROP, OR OFFICIALLY WITHDRAW FROM THIS COURSE IF, FOR ANY REASON,
THAT STUDENT IS NO LONGER ATTENDING. NEW RULES ARE IN EFFECT THAT GREATLY
CHANGE HOW AND WHEN THAT CAN BE DONE. YOU WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM
THIS COURSE BY YOUR PROFESSOR. FURTHERMORE, THERE ARE POSSIBLE PENALTIES
OTHER THAN LOSING ONE'S PAID TUITION THAT EVERY STUDENT MUST CONSIDER
CAREFULLY BEFORE WITHDRAWING.
Make-up policy
Students are responsible for materials covered in-class and online during their absences,
and it is the student's responsibility to contact and consult with the instructor for make-up
assignments. In addition, any student who is absent on posted exam dates should be
prepared to schedule the make-up of missed examinations on the first day of returning to
class. Any other assignments not turned in on time (due to absences) must also be either
turned in, or scheduled for late submission on the first day of returning to class. Finally,
there will be no extension of due dates and/or make-ups for Online Requirements. Except
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for a medical excuse, there is no exemption from these rules. Make-up exams are
administered by the campus testing service at the instructor’s request.
HCC Student Services Information
Counselors are available at each campus to assist students in creating class schedules,
evaluating college transcripts and completing degree/certificate plans.
STUDENT SERVICES CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: 713-718-7789
Email: james.shippy@hccs.edu
Tutoring Information
Limited face-to-face tutoring from your instructor may be arranged by appointment only
directly with your professor. An appointment may be made before or after class in person
or by e-mail.
Registering for online tutoring is easy. Go to www.hccs.askonline.net. Select a user name
and password that you will remember. Use any e-mail address, and add your student ID
number (W number). It will probably take five minutes to set up your Askonline account.
After that, you can submit questions in seconds. Tutor responses are not e-mailed to you.
To see the answers, log back in to the system and click the bright yellow NEW button.
Online tutoring is also available for accounting, history, government, chemistry, physics,
biology, math, English, and papers in all disciplines.
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division
chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston
Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
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