Introduction to Logic
PHIL 110-004
MWF 11:45-12:30
Callaway Center N116
Instructor: Julia Haas
Office Hours: M-W 12:45-14:00
Contact: jshaas@emory.edu
Course Description
Logic is the study of reasoning. This course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of
informal and formal logic. The first part of the course will focus on the analysis and evaluation of arguments
in ordinary conversation and writing. The second portion will examine the structures of arguments in
propositional, categorical and predicate logic. Both components of the course will explore the relevance and
utility of critical reasoning in our intellectual undertakings.
Course Objectives
a. To improve your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments in everyday discourse and scholarly texts
b. To integrate some of the central concepts of formal logic, including formalization, truth tables,
refutation trees and the propositional calculus
c. To introduce some of the basic features of categorical logic, predicate logic, logical fallacies, and
inductive reasoning
Required Text
Nolt, Rohatyn, and Varzi. Schaum's Outline of Logic.
ISBN: 9780070466494.
Class Schedule
Date
M
01/17
W
01/19
F
01/21
M
01/24
W
01/26
F
01/28
M
01/31
W
02/02
F
02/04
M
Topic
Read
Homework
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - Class Cancelled
Evaluation
Introduction
Argument
Structure
1.1 – 1.3, 1.6
Argument
Structure
Argument
Structure
Argument
Evaluation
(Preview)
Argument
Evaluation
Argument
Evaluation
Argument
Evaluation
Propositional
1.4 – 1.5
1.7-1.8
Chapter 1: I. 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12
Determine whether each statement is an
argument, circle inference indicators, bracket
and number statements, add implicit premises
or conclusions, and rewrite each argument in
its proper order
Chapter 1: I. 13-15, 17-21
Chapter 1: II. 2, 4, 6
No homework!
2.1 –
2.3 (p. 23-27)
2.3 (p. 28-31)
2.4-2.5
3.1-3.3 (p.
Quiz 1
Chapter 2: I. 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 22, 24, 26, 28
Chapter 2: II. 1- 4, 6 – 9
Chapter 2: III. 4, 8, 9
Chapter 2: IV. 2, 3, 7 - 9
Chapter 3: I. 1-4, 6-9, 11-12
Quiz 2
02/07
Logic
W
02/09
F
02/11
Propositional
Logic
Propositional
Logic
M
02/14
Propositional
Logic
W
02/16
F
02/18
Propositional
Logic
Propositional
Logic (Preview:
Trees)
Propositional
Logic
Propositional
Logic
M
02/21
W
02/23
F
02/25
M
02/28
W
03/02
F
03/04
03/07
–
03/11
M
03/14
W
03/16
F
03/18
M
03/21
Propositional
Logic
Propositional
Calculus
Propositional
Calculus
Propositional
Calculus
(Preview: Hyp.)
50-52 (end of
problem 3. 5)
3.3
Chapter 3: I. 13-14, 16-19
Chapter 3: II. 2, 4, 6-8
3.4
Chapter 3: III. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Construct a truth table for each of the
formulas
3.5
Chapter 3: II. 1, 4, 9
Using truth tables, determine whether the
formulas are tautologous, contingent or
inconsistent
Chapter 3: III. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
Using truth tables, determine whether the
formulas are tautologous, contingent or
inconsistent
3.6
Chapter 3: IV. 1, 3, 5, 7-10 Using truth tables,
test the following forms for validity
No homework!
3.7
3.7
3.7
4.1-4.2
4.2
Chapter 3: IV. 1, 3, 5, 7-10 Using trees, test
the following forms for validity
Chapter 3: III. 2-5, 8-10
Using truth tables, determine whether the
formulas are tautologous, contingent or
inconsistent
‘Trees’ homework assignment (Blackboard)
Quiz 3
Problem
Set A
Quiz 4
‘Nonhypothetical 1’ homework assignment
(Blackboard)
‘Nonhypothetical 2’ homework assignment
(Blackboard)
No homework!
Problem
Set B
Spring Recess
Propositional
Calculus
Propositional
Calculus
Propositional
Calculus
Categorical Logic
4.2
4.3
‘Nonhypothetical 3’ homework assignment
(Blackboard)
Chapter 4: III. 1- 4
4.3
Chapter 4: III. 6 - 9
5.1
Chapter 5: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9-11
Formalize those cases which express
categorical statements
Chapter 5: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9-11
Draw a Venn diagram for those cases which
express categorical statements
No homework!
W
03/23
Categorical Logic
5.2
F
Categorical Logic
Quiz
Cancelled
Quiz 5
03/25
M
03/28
W
03/30
F
04/01
M
04/04
W
04/06
F
04/08
M
04/11
W
04/13
F
04/15
M
04/18
W
04/20
F
04/22
M
04/25
Categorical Logic
5.2
Look at Figures 5-1 – 5-10
Categorical Logic
5.3
Chapter 5: 11, 14, 15, 17-19
Categorical Logic
5.4
Predicate Logic
6.1-6.2
‘Categorical’ homework assignment
(Blackboard)
Chapter 6: I. 1-4, 6-9
Predicate Logic
6.1-6.2
Chapter 6: I. 11-14, 16-19
Predicate Logic
No homework!
Predicate Logic
Class cancelled
Predicate Logic
6.3
Fallacies
8.1-8.2
Fallacies
8.3-8.5
Fallacies
8.6-8.7
Review for
Final Exam
Review for
Final Exam
Quiz 6
Problem
Set C
Chapter 6: II. 1-4, 6
‘Fallacies 1’ homework assignment
(Blackboard)
‘Fallacies 2’ homework assignment
(Blackboard)
Chapter 8: 12, 22, 31, 32, 36, 38, 39
Quiz 7
No homework!
Quiz 8
No homework!
Problem
Set D
Grading
Grades for this course will be determined by attendance and participation, homework assignments, quizzes,
problem sets, and a final exam.
Homework Assignments, Class Participation and Attendance: 14%
Your textbook forms the foundation for your learning and development in this course. You must come to
class having read the text and completed the homework assignment. The assignments will be graded based on
participation, but a repeated failure to do so ‘in good faith’ will be reflected in your final grade. The
assignments must be prepared on the computer and submitted via Blackboard by 9am on the day that they
are due (see ‘Prepping your Logic Homework on the Computer: Some Quick Tips’ in the ‘Content’ section
on Blackboard).
Be sure to bring your textbook and a copy of your homework assignment to class, and we will work on any
areas that may be causing you difficulties. We will go over the more difficult homework problems in class
each day, and we will consider new problems together on the board. We will also work in groups to tackle
difficult concepts. In these contexts, you will never be judged on your mastery of specific logical concepts, but
your participation and group spirit will be reflected in your final grade.
You should attend every class. You are permitted to have two unexcused absences from class sessions
following the drop/add deadline, but any further unexcused absences will be reflected in your final grade.
Similarly, you should arrive to class on time. You may oversleep approximately once a semester, but habitual
tardiness will be reflected in your final grade.
In-class quizzes (9): 16%
There will be nine in-class quizzes over the course of the semester. Each quiz will be worth 2%, and your
lowest quiz score will be dropped. They will be designed to evaluate your logical reasoning skills. They will
not be worth very much in your final grade, but they will serve as essential indicators of how well you are
grasping particular concepts. A quiz grade of 70% or lower will be met with a suggestion to come to office
hours to review certain problems. A quiz grade of 60% or lower will result in a brief but mandatory visit to
my office hours to review certain problems.
Take-home problem sets: 40%
There will be four take-home problem sets over the course of the semester. Each problem set will be worth
12% of your final grade. They will be designed to complement and stimulate your logical reasoning skills. You
may work on completing them in groups, but each of you must submit your own, individually-prepared
problem set (no two problem sets look alike!). You will receive the problem sets 7-10 days before they are
due, and they must be prepared on the computer and submitted via Blackboard by 9am on the day that they
are due.
Final Exam: 30%
The final exam will be cumulative. It is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 4:30-7:00pm, in Callaway
Center N116.
Bonus Assignments:
Logic, and especially formal logic, may be a new and unfamiliar way of learning for you. Alternately, you may
fall in love with logic and want to pursue it in a more metatheoretical way. If either of these situations
becomes the case for you, you may undertake up to a maximum of three bonus reading assignments. To
complete a bonus reading assignment, you must read an article from the proposed reading list (posted on
Blackboard) and prepare a thoughtful, typed-up, one-page analysis of its content and relevance. Each
assignment will be worth up to an additional 2% of your final grade.
Academic Integrity
You are expected to follow the Honor Code of Emory College. For more information, please visit
http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/policy/honor_code.html
Disability and Access
If you require any special accommodations, please contact me in person or via email. I will more than happy
to work with you to coordinate any arrangements which may be of assistance to you. You are also encouraged
to contact and register with the Office of Disability Services, Administration Building, Suite 110 and at (404)
727-9877.