Jeffrey C. Witt

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.