North Seattle Community College
Winter Quarter 2007
PHI 120
INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC
Monday through Friday
11:00 – 11:50 am daily
CC3343
Olga Vishnyakova, PhD, Instructor
ovishnyakova@sccd.ctc.edu
Office: IB 2423 C#1
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Phone: (206) 526-7797 ext.4
and by appointment
Required Texts
[1] Hurley, Patrick J. A Concise Introduction to Logic, Ninth Edition (Wadsworth, 2005).
[2] Olga Vishnyakova, various handouts: lecture notes, exercises, etc.
Course Description
This course is designed to provide and foster an environment in which students can learn the basic
principles of reasoning, and how to use them in formal and practical discourse and argumentation. Since
Logic is “the science of evaluating argumentation” (Hurley, 1), the student, by learning its principles,
learns how to think and argue in critically appropriate and successful ways. Moreover, since the ability
to do this is an essential element in effective discourse, both written and spoken, an understanding of the
basic principles of logic presents an important area of knowledge.
Objectives of the Course
The general aims of this introductory survey of logic are:
 to gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of language,
 to learn additional effective methods of disagreement resolution,
 to obtain a greater ability to define terms,
 to understand the structure of different kinds of arguments,
 to recognize and evaluate the different kinds of arguments,
 to grasp the principles of symbolic logic,
 to obtain facility in symbolic manipulations,
 to further develop the ability to think critically, and
 to realize that the proper use of logic is a useful way to solve problems.
Specific Skills Achieved
Upon completion of this course, all students should be able to
 explain the difference between an argument and a disagreement,
 identify premises and conclusions in arguments,
 explain the difference between deduction and induction,
 understand the differences among truth, validity, and soundness,
 translate English statements into symbolic form, and
 use formal methods for the construction, analysis, and evaluation of arguments.
 Expectations As a learning community, we all benefit from one another's knowledge and
participation in this class. I cannot recommend highly enough regular attendance. Logic can be a very
challenging course, one that demands thoughtful attention and rigorous study, and in my experience
habitual attendance aids in making the class a successful learning endeavor. It is hoped that regular
attendance will promote and provide a consistent and structured time during which students can learn
and apply the principles of logic via their own participation in the class, as well as through the shared
efforts of others. Finally, consistent, active participation in class will be positively reflected in
students’ grades.
In order to use our time together effectively, I would appreciate your cooperation with the following:
 Please make a habit of being on time to class.
 If you must leave early, let me know at the beginning of class.
 Have copies of homework with you when you arrive at class.
 Students will not be permitted to make up any quizzes or exams, unless they have
a legitimate excuse for missing the class during which the quiz or exam was given.
 If illness or an emergency means you must miss class, be sure to find out what you
missed and stop by my office to pick up assignments or handouts.
 Please contact me if you miss 2 or more consecutive classes.
 Please do not cheat! Any student caught cheating will automatically fail the test or
quiz.
Evaluation*
Six Quizzes
Three Exams
One Comprehensive Final
*
@ 25 points each
@ 100 points each
@ 150 points
150 points
300 points
150 points
Total Points Possible 600 points
Note that the number of quizzes and/or exams on the basis of which students will be evaluated is
subject to change at my discretion. However, this will only happen if I determine that we cannot
meet our tentative schedule. Also, during the course of the semester I may offer opportunities to earn
extra credit.
Grading
A / 90-100%
(3.5 - 4.0)
B / 80-89%
(2.5 - 3.4)
C / 70-79%
(1.5 - 2.4)
D / 60-69%
(0.7 - 1.4)
Student Accommodations for Special Needs
North Seattle Community College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented
disabilities. Students need to contact the Director of Disability Services and the professor as early in the
semester as possible to ensure that classroom and academic accommodations are implemented in a
timely fashion. All communication between students, Disability Services, and the professor will be
strictly confidential.
Specific Areas of Study*
I. Chapter 1: Basic Concepts
1.1 Arguments, Premises and Conclusions
1.2 Recognizing Arguments
1.3 Deduction and Induction
1.4 Validity, Truth, Soundness, Strength, Cogency
Quiz # 1
Exam # 1
II. Chapter 4: Categorical Propositions
4.1 The Components of Categorical Propositions
4.2 Quality, Quantity, and Distribution
4.3 Venn Diagrams and the Modern Square of Opposition
4.4 Conversion, Obversion, and Contraposition
Quiz # 2
III. Chapter 5: Categorical Syllogisms
5.1 Standard Form, Mood, and Figure
5.2 Venn Diagrams
5.3 Rules and Fallacies
Quiz # 3
Exam # 2
IV. Chapter 6: Propositional Logic
6.1 Symbols and Translation
6.2 Truth Functions
6.3 Truth Tables for Propositions
6.4 Truth Tables for Arguments
Quiz # 4
V. Chapter 7: Natural Deduction in Propositional Logic
7.1 Rules of Implication I
7.2 Rules of Implication II
7.3 Rules of Replacement I
7.4 Rules of Replacement II
7.5 Conditional Proof
Quiz # 5
Exam # 3
VI.
Chapter 3: Informal Fallacies
3.1 Fallacies in General
3.2 Fallacies of Relevance
3.3 Fallacies of Weak Induction
3.4 Fallacies of Presumption, Ambiguity, and Grammatical Analogy
3.5 Fallacies in Ordinary Language
Quiz # 6
Review for Comprehensive Final
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
*
Note that certain specific topics of study may be modified or eliminated in the event that I determine
that we cannot meet our tentative schedule as planned.
There will be special assignments for all students in our class that will be graded; to complete them
you will be given the class time for self-study.