PHIL 1110 - Introduction to Logic

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

Logic is fundamental to the way humans communicate. Our public debates and private reasoning are shaped by logical principles, even though most of us would struggle to spell them out. Logic I will teach you the basics of formal logic, which provides symbolic methods for representing and assessing the logical form of arguments. No previous experience with symbolic methods or mathematics is assumed. There are no prerequisites, but many students find that Argument and Critical Thinking is a useful preliminary.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 1110
    Course Introduction to Logic
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites 12 units of Level I Arts including 3 units of Philosophy
    Course Description Logic is fundamental to the way humans communicate. Our public debates and private reasoning are shaped by logical principles, even though most of us would struggle to spell them out. Logic I will teach you the basics of formal logic, which provides symbolic methods for representing and assessing the logical form of arguments. No previous experience with symbolic methods or mathematics is assumed. There are no prerequisites, but many students find that Argument and Critical Thinking is a useful preliminary.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jonathan Opie

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    This course introduces the tools of modern symbolic logic. Students will learn to:
    1. Represent the logical structure of statements and arguments,
    2. Assess arguments for validity using truth tables and deductive methods,
    3. Apply these methods to real-world arguments.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1-3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    na
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    na
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The course textbook is:

    Henle, J M et al (2012) Sweet Reason: A Field Guide to Modern Logic, 2nd ed., Wiley.

    Sweet Reason will be used throughout the course, and many of the tutorial exercises will be drawn from there. You will need to purchase your own copy through Unibooks.
    Recommended Resources
    The following text may also be useful, but is not compulsory:

    Priest, G (2001) Logic: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press.
    Online Learning
    Lecture notes and a tutorial paper will be made available on MyUni each week, as will a recording of the lecture. Practice tests and a practice exam will be posted during the semester. Supplementary exercises may also be provided.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures. There are two lectures each week, which can be attended in person or viewed on MyUni.
    Tutorials. Tutorials are designed to help you understand the lecture material, but may touch on other topics. To prepare for tutorials, please answer the questions made available each week on MyUni.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    2 x 1-hour lectures (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour tutorials (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    4 hours assignment/exam preparation per week 48 hours per semester
    3 hours tutorial preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    3 hours reading per week 36 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week  Content
      1         Arguments, Formal and Informal logic
      2         Validity and Soundness, Sentential, Truth Tables
      3         English to Sentential, WFF in Sentential
      4         Testing for Validity, In-class Test
      5         Predicate, English to Predicate
      6         Syllogisms, Universes, WFF in Predicate
      7         Simple Deduction, Deduction Strategy
      8         Sentential Deduction, Sentential Strategy
      9         Predicate Deduction
    10         Predicate Strategy, In-class Test
    11         Deduction with Identity, FMTYEWTK
    12         The Logic of Paradox, Where Next?
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance at a minimum of seven out of ten tutorials is compulsory. You will incur a penalty of 3% per tutorial for any further absences, up to a maximum of 9%, unless you can provide a medical certificate or counsellor’s note. The penalty is deducted from your overall course mark.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Small group discovery occurs during our weekly tutorials. Here you will discuss exercises attempted before the tutorial, and compare your responses with those of the other class members.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Task Type Weight
    Test 1 Summative 20%
    Test 2 Summative 30%
    Exam Summative 50%
    Tutorials Formative Unweighted
    Assessment Detail
    The two in-class tests will take place during the normal lecture period. They will be based on material from Weeks 1-3 and Weeks 4-8, respectively. The tests will be open-book: you can bring your notes and textbooks with you. The end-of-semester exam is a two-hour exam, at a date and time to be advised by the university. It is open book―you can take your notes and textbooks with you―and is based on the whole course. It is worth 50% of the course mark.
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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