PHI 2101-001

Introduction to Formal Logic

Fall, 2015
Instructor Info:
Doug Jesseph
Office Hrs: TR 2:00-3:00
Office: FAO 209

Course Info:
Room: CPR 120
Hrs: TR 3:30-4:45

This is a 3-credit course in logic, which emphasizes the techniques of formal

symbolization and the assessment of argument forms for validity and soundness.
Course Requirements and Grading: There will be three tests, four problem sets, five
unannounced quizzes, and a final exam. Important dates are on the Schedule of Events
below. Each bit of work will be assigned a point value as follows:
Three Tests @ 50 points each
Four Problem sets @ 25 points each
Five Quizzes @ 5 points each
One Final Exam @ 100 points
Grand TOTAL

150 points
100 points
25 points
100 points
375 points

I will then toss out 25 points and will treat 350 as a perfect score of 100% and assign
letter grades in accordance with the following scheme:
A+ 97%, A 92%, A- 90%
B+ 87%, B 82%, B- 80%
C+ 75%, C70%, C- 65%
D+ 60% D 55%, D- 50%
<50% F
You will note that this leaves you a cushion of 25 points. Spend it as you wish. In
recompense for my granting you an extra 25 points, I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE
WORK AND I DO NOT GIVE MAKE-UP TESTS, QUIZZES OR EXAMS. The
only exceptions to this policy are those required by university regulations. If you
anticipate the necessity of being absent for a university-recognized reason, it is your
responsibility to notify me in time and to make the necessary arrangements.
Attendance Policy: I am required to take attendance, due to the fact that this is a 2000
level class. I do not, however, penalize you for missing class. If you cant be bothered to
make it to class, I dont want you here. However, I can state with great confidence that
students who do not show up for class have a very slim chance of getting a decent grade.
Generally speaking, the material we cover is cumulative: what you need to do in week n
presupposes that you have read and understood the material from week n1. A good
general rule is this: IF YOU FALL BEHIND, YOU WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.

Student Learning Outcomes: After successful completion of this course, a student will
be able to
1.) Identify the logical form of statements in English.
2.) Describe the logical form of statements in English in the symbolism of
propositional logic and first-order logic.
3.) Explain the logical properties of validity, consistency and logical truth.
4.) Apply deductive techniques for the evaluation of arguments.
5.) Understand items 1.) - 4.) above.
Required Textbook: The text we will be using is Arnold van der Nat, Simple Formal
Logic, published by Routledge and on sale at your local bookstore for the extortionate
price of $69.95. I will also post some additional material to Canvass.
Other Matters: Please note that you should leave your cell phones, laptops, ipods, and
other electronic equipment off during class. The number of incoming calls, endless
texting, IMing, web surfing, etc. has reached the point theyve become a burdensome
distraction. Also, you should make every effort to get to class on time its seriously
annoying to have people wandering in thirty minutes late. Finally, all problem sets should
be submitted in hard copy during class on the day theyre due (or earlier, if thats your
style). My departments printing budget is so small these days that were strongly
discouraged from printing out student work submitted as email attachments.
Schedule of Events
25 Aug T
27 Aug R
01 Sept T
03 Sep R
08 Sep T
10 Sep R
15 Sep T
17 Sep R
22 Sep T
24 Sep R
29 Sep T
01 Oct R
06 Oct T
08 Oct R
13 Oct T

Introductory Matters (Ch. 1.1-1.2)

Basic Concepts of Logic (Ch. 1.31.4)
More Logic Basics (Ch. 1.5-1.6)
Propositional Logic:
Symbolizations (Ch. 2.1-2.3)
Symbolization & Truth (Ch. 2.4)
Problem Set #1 Due
Truth Tables (Ch. 2.5)

15 Oct R
20 Oct T

More With Truth Tables (Ch. 2.5)

Still More Truth Tables (Ch. 2.6)

05 Nov R
10 Nov T
12 Nov R
17 Nov T

TEST #1
Truth Tables and Trees (Ch. 2 +
Handout)
More Fun with Trees (Handout)
Derivation and Deduction (Ch.
2.7) Problem Set #2 Due
More Derivations (Ch. 2.8)
Still More on Derivations (Ch.
2.9)
Yet More on Derivations (Ch.
2.10)

22 Oct R
27 Oct T
29 Oct R
03 Nov T

19 Nov R
24 Nov T
26 Nov R
01 Dec T
03 Dec R

TEST #2
From Propositional Logic to
Probability (Handout)
More Probability (Handout)
Quantificational Logic (Ch. 4.1)
Problem Set #3 Due
Symbolization in Quantified Logic
(Ch. 4.2)
More Symbolization in Quantified
Logic (Ch. 4)
TEST #3
Quantifiers and Truth (Ch. 4.3)
More Quantified Logic (Ch. 4.3)
Quantified Deductions (Ch. 4.4)
Deduction in Quantified Logic
(Ch. 4.4)
Deduction in Quantified Logic
(Ch. 4.5) Problem Set #4 Due
NO CLASS, HOLIDAY
More Deduction in Quantified
Logic (Ch. 4.6)
The Bitter End of It All

FINAL EXAM: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 12:30-2:30