Logic
Course Information
Logic
PL 320 (Independent Study) | Spring, 2020
Friday 2-2:50pm | Room: HU 050M (Dr. Witt's Office)
Dr. Jeffrey C. Witt | jcwitt [at] loyola [dot] edu | ext. 2947
Philosophy Department 050M
Office Hours: T/TH 3pm-5pm, Fr 11am-1pm, and by appointment
Course Description
This course will introduce students to the basic components of logical arguments and then introduce students to the various systems of logic designed to formally analyze such arguments. Particular attention will be given to Categorical Logic, Propositional Logic, and Predicate Logic.
Required Texts
Hurly, Patrick, A Concise Introduction to Logic 12th Edition (Cengage Learning: Stamford, CT, 2015)
Course Requirements
Participation (10%)
In-class participation is a small part of your grade that typically makes a big difference. Participation means not only attending class, but being prepared for class and letting that preparation bear fruit in class.
In this class, preparation means completing the assigned exercise problems. (Unless otherwise noted, this means the "odd" problems for each unit.) Agreed upon meeting discussion problems (2 or 3 of the most challenging problems at the end of each problem section) should be submitted by Thursday at 5pm, prior to our meeting on Friday.
Reading Analysis (15%)
In order to see the fruit of work learning logical systems, I will provide some sample text passages with embedded informal arguments (e.g. readings from Plato's Gorgias or similar works). You will read this passages, identify the arguments hidden with the reading, and provide a breakdown of the argument using appropriate logical syntax.
Exams (75%)
Exam 1 (25%)
Exam 2 (25%)
Exam 3 (25%)
Final Grade Distribution
95% A, 90% A-, 88% B+, 85% B, 80 B-, 78% C+, 75% C, 70% C-, 68% D+, 65% D
Honor Code and Plagiarism
Students are expected to follow the university's honor code:
"The Honor Code states that all students of the Loyola Community have been equally entrusted by their peers to conduct themselves honestly on all academic assignments. The Students of this University understand that having collective and individual responsibility for the ethical welfare of their peers exemplifies a commitment to the community. Students who submit materials that are the products of their own minds demonstrate respect for themselves and the community in which they study. All outside resources or information should be clearly acknowledged. If there is any doubt or question regarding the use and documentation of outside sources for academic assignments, your instructor should be consulted. Any violations of the Honor Code will be handled by the Honor Council."
See the honor code for further information. http://www.loyola.edu/academic/honorcode.aspx.
Computer, Cell Phones and Email Policy
I ask you not (unless otherwise instructed) to use your computers or cell phones in this class. They are almost always a distraction: if not to you, then to me and to others. (If there is a special reason that you need a computer please let me know, and we can most likely work something out.) Students using cell phones in any capacity will find their participation grade negatively affected. If you find this policy frustrating, then I encourage you to watch the Frontline documentary: Digital Nation http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/?utm_campaign= viewpage&utm_medium=grid&utm_source=grid.
Course Schedule
Introduction (Hurley 1)
Mon Jan 13 - Hurley 1.1-1.2
Wed Jan 15 - Hurley 1.3-1.4
Fri Jan 17 - Hurley 1.5-1.6
Mon Jan 20 - MLK Day
Unit 1 - Categorical Logic (Hurley 4-5)
Wed Jan 22 - Hurley 4.1-4.2
Fri Jan 24 - Hurley 4.3-4.4
Mon Jan 27 - Hurley 4.5-4.6
Wed Jan 29 - Hurley 4.7
Fri Jan 31 - Hurley 5.1
Mon Feb 03 - Hurley 5.2
Wed Feb 05 - Hurley 5.3-5.4
Fri Feb 07 - Hurley 5.4-5.5
Mon Feb 10 - Hurley 5.6-5.7
Wed Feb 12 - Review
Fri Feb 14 - Exam 1 (Hurley 1, 4-5)
Unit 2 - Proposition Logic (6-7)
Mon Feb 17 - Hurley 6.1
Wed Feb 19 - Hurley 6.2
Fri Feb 21 - Hurley 6.3
Mon Feb 24 - Hurley 6.4
Wed Feb 26 - Hurley 6.5
Fri Feb 28 - Hurley 6.6
Mon Mar 02 - Spring Break
Wed Mar 04 - Spring Break
Fri Mar 06 - spring break
Mon Mar 09 - Hurley 7.1
Wed Mar 11 - Hurley 7.2
Fri Mar 13 - Hurley 7.3
Mon Mar 16 - Hurley 7.4
Wed Mar 18 - Hurley 7.5
Fri Mar 20 - Hurley 7.6
Mon Mar 23 - Hurley 7.7
Wed Mar 25 Exam 2 Review
Fri Mar 27 Exam 2 (Hurley 6-7)
Unit 3 - Predicate Logic (8)
Mon Mar 30 - Hurley 8.1
Wed Apr 01 - Hurley 8.2
Fri Apr 03 - Hurley 8.3
Mon Apr 06 - Hurley 8.4
Wed Apr 08 - Hurley 8.5
Fri Apr 10 - Easter Break
Mon Apr 13 - Easter Break
Wed Apr 15 - Hurley 8.6
Fri Apr 17 - Hurley 8.7
Mon Apr 20 - Passage Analysis
Wed Apr 22 - Passage Analysis
Fri Apr 24 - Unit 3 Review and Passage Analysis Due
Mon April 27 Unit 3 Review
TBD Exam 3 (Hurley 8)