PHIL 120: Introduction to Logic Summer 2016 In class: Weds., 1:10–3:20 p.m. in MUS 223 (and exam dates) This is a hybrid class! That means that much of the course content will be delivered online (via our Canvas site), and we will not always meet in person at our scheduled time. Our only scheduled in-­‐‑person class times are (i) each Wednesday, from 1:10-­‐‑3:20 in MUS 223 and (ii) the exam days. The midterm exam will be in class on a Friday, and the final exam will be in class on our last day, a Wednesday (see schedule below). Contact Info Instructor: Ian Schnee Email: [email protected] Office hours: Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (or by appointment!) Office location: 383 Savery Hall How to contact me: all email to the instructor should be sent to my UW email address. There is also a course email ([email protected]), which you will use for homework submissions (see the directions on the first problem set). But do not send correspondence (questions, requests, etc.) to the course email! I won’t read it or considered received. That email is just a slush pile for homework and does not get checked (homework is graded via a server without actually checking that email). Overview What makes an argument good? How do you show that someone has reasoned invalidly? In this course we will study arguments and reasoning both informally as well as with the tools and techniques of formal deductive logic. We will learn the syntax and semantics of propositional and first-­‐‑order logic (polyadic with identity and functions), and we will use them to explicate the intuitive notion of a valid argument. We then apply our formal logical techniques to a variety of domains, such as the domain of sets (abstract collections of objects). Topics include syntax, semantics, pragmatics, consistency, proof, logical consequence, logical equivalence, logical truth, analyticity, logical form, sets, set theory, infinity, paradoxes, truth functionality, binary numbers, logic gates, truth tables, quantification, relations, functions, interpretations, models, soundness, and completeness. We will also discuss connections between formal logic and computability theory, philosophy of language, cognitive science, foundations of mathematics, and metalogic (theorems about logical systems themselves). Warning This is a difficult and fast-­‐‑paced course! We have a problem set due nearly every-­‐‑other day. Furthermore, all the material is cumulative, so you must keep up with the work all quarter in order to succeed. That does not mean that this class will be all work and no fun. This is the most fun class on campus! (In my biased opinion.) But you must know what you are getting into if you take this course. Phil 120 Syllabus 2 Prerequisites None. Books There is one book to buy for the course: Language, Proof and Logic (2nd Edition), by Barker-­‐‑
Plummer, Barwise, and Etchemendy: ISBN 978-­‐‑1-­‐‑57586-­‐‑632-­‐‑1. (The book comes with software; you don’t have to buy any software separately.) The text/software package has a one-­‐‑time registration ID. Make sure that what you buy includes the unused software and DO NOT BUY IT USED OR SECONDHAND—it won’t work and you will not be able to take this course! Even if you buy the book online and it says “new”, the book might be in pristine condition but someone used the software registration ID and thus the “new” book is useless to you (because you need an unused software ID to take this course). That is why I only recommend that you buy the book/software in one of two ways: (1) Directly from the publisher by electronic download (cost: $55). Go to: http://ggweb.stanford.edu/store. You will get a pdf of the textbook, plus the manuals and software. You save money this way but you don’t get a physical copy of the text. Or: (2) In person at the university bookstore or some other local shop. If you buy it in person then you will know that what you are getting is still shrink-­‐‑wrapped in the box, which is what you want. The book/software in hard copy costs roughly $70. If you try to save money by getting a hard copy much cheaper from a 3rd party then you might cause misery for yourself. Buy the book as soon as possible (BEFORE classes start): we will have a problem set due on Friday of the first week, and you need your own copy of the book and software to do the problem sets! Grading and Course Requirements There are four components of your grade: 1. Participation: 5% 2. Homework: 25% 3. Midterm exam: 30% 4. Final exam: 40% Here is an explanation of each of these parts: 1. Participation will be measured by your involvement on the online discussion board on Canvas. We will use the discussion board as a place for you to ask and answer questions—about specific homework problems that you are struggling with, or course content in general. The main point of the discussion board is for you to help each other with the course material, so you are expected to answer as well as ask questions (though Phil 120 Syllabus 3 I will help answer questions too). You must use the board at least 5 times by July 19 (1% point for each time). 2. Homework assignments will have two parts; one part is called “written” and the other part is called “electronic.” In fact, though, both parts will be submitted online. The “written” part will be submitted via file upload to Canvas, and the “electronic” part will be submitted with the program Submit (part of the software package that comes with the textbook). For directions on how to submit homework and manage your workflow for the course, please see both the video posted on Canvas called “Submitting Homework” as well as the directions on the first problem set. Problem sets will start to be due the first week! They will be due on the assigned days by 11 p.m. (See Late Policy below regarding late homework.) 3. The midterm will occur in class on July 1 from 1:10 to 2:10 p.m. It is closed note/book/computer (unless allowed by Disability Resources for Services). It will be multiple choice, true/false, proofs, etc. Directions and a study guide will be provided before the exam. You must bring a PURPLE (not green) Scantron answer card and a no. 2 pencil in order to take the test. 4. The final exam will occur on our last day, July 20, from 1:10-­‐‑3:20 p.m. It is closed note/book/computer (unless allowed by Disability Services). Like the midterm, it will be multiple choice, true/false, proofs, etc. Directions and a study guide will also be provided during the last week of class. The test in cumulative, but the emphasis will be on new material since the midterm. You must bring a PURPLE (not green) Scantron answer card and a no. 2 pencil in order to take the test. Calculating Grades At the end of the quarter we will convert your course grade percentage to the UW 4-­‐‑point scale using this metric: 95% and up is 4.0; 94% is 3.9; 93% is 3.8; etc. Each 1% step is a 0.1 step on the UW 4-­‐‑point scale. So an 86.1%, e.g., would give you a 3.1 on the UW scale. Disability Resources for Students (DRS) I am committed to the success of every student. If you have a disability or need special accommodation please contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS), 448 Schmitz Hall, 206-­‐‑
543-­‐‑8924. Per university policy, all students needing special accommodation need a letter from DRS; please present it to me so we can discuss your needs for the class. Late Policy In order to pass the class students must complete their work on time. Unexcused homework that is late less than 24 hours past deadline will be docked 50%. Unexcused homework that is more than 24 hours late will not be accepted. There is no late work accepted for the exams: talk with me about individual circumstances. The EXCEPTIONS: lateness may be excused with prior approval or demonstrated emergency. If you find yourself in difficult circumstances, please come talk to me or your TA! Many cases of Phil 120 Syllabus 4 academic dishonesty (see below) are done out of desperation; it is always better to contact me, no matter the circumstances, than to resort to plagiarism or cheating! Academic Integrity Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated; students caught doing either will receive a 0 for the course. It is your duty to know and understand what plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are as well as the university’s policy on student conduct and discipline. Here are some resources to help you: • The Center for Teaching and Learning’s page on plagiarism and cheating: http://www.washington.edu/teaching/cheating-­‐‑or-­‐‑plagiarism • The UW student conduct code: http://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/WAC/478-­‐‑120TOC.html All cases of plagiarism or cheating will be report to the Dean, the Committee on Academic Conduct, and the University Disciplinary Committee. NOTE: I respect your right to due process. Should you be reported, the relevant committee will decide your case and (i) you may continue the course, being presumed innocent until found otherwise, and (ii) you have the right to appeal the committee’s decision. (See end of syllabus for elaboration and additional department policies.) NOTE: Each student must do all of his or her own work (and work entirely on his or her own files and computer!). The midterm and final exam must be done strictly individually, closed book and closed note. On homework students may work together—study groups are a great idea—but every student complete her own problem set individually. So no two written answers may be identical: each student’s work must be written in her own words, even if students are working together. ANOTHER NOTE: Under no circumstances may students share electronic files or computers for homework or any other graded material. Students must always use their own files from their software CD or computer for homework. Be warned: sharing files will be detected by the ingenious Grade Grinder and will be considered cheating, resulting in an F for the course. UW SafeCampus Preventing violence is everyone's responsibility. If you are concerned, tell someone. • Always call 911 if you or others may be in danger. • Call 206-­‐‑685-­‐‑SAFE (7233) to report non-­‐‑urgent threats of violence and for referrals to UW counseling and/or safety resources. TTY or VP callers, please call through your preferred relay service. • Don't walk alone. Campus safety guards can walk with you on campus after dark. Call Husky NightWalk 206-­‐‑685-­‐‑WALK (9255). • Stay connected in an emergency with UW Alert. Register your mobile number to receive instant notification of campus emergencies via text and voice messaging. Sign up online at www.washington.edu/alert. • For more information visit the SafeCampus website at www.washington.edu/safecampus. Phil 120 Syllabus 5 Tentative Schedule This is just a sketch and is subject to revision—additional details will be posted on Canvas. Monday June 20 Week 1 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday June 27 June 28 Week 2 PS#3 due July 4 Nothing due: holiday Week 3 June 21 PS#1 due Meet in class day. July 5 July 11 July 12 Week 5 July 18 PS#9 due July 19 June 29 PS#4 due Meet in class day. Week 4 June 22 July 6 PS#5 due Meet in class day. July 13 PS#7 due Meet in class day. July 20 Final Exam In class from 1:10-­‐‑3:20 Please see the following pages for department policies.
June 23 June 30 Friday June 24 PS#2 due July 1 Midterm In class from 1:10-­‐‑
2:10 July 7 July 8 PS#6 due July 14 July 15 PS#8 due Phil 120 Syllabus 6 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS* COURSES, GRADING, ACADEMIC CONDUCT Plagiarism Plagiarism is defined as the use of creations, ideas or words of publicly available work without formally acknowledging the author or source through appropriate use of quotation marks, references, and the like. Plagiarizing is presenting someone else’s work as one’s own original work or thought. This constitutes plagiarism whether it is intentional or unintentional. The University of Washington takes plagiarism very seriously. Plagiarism may lead to disciplinary action by the University against the student who submitted the work. Any student who is uncertain whether his or her use of the work of others constitutes plagiarism should consult the course instructor for guidance before formally submitting the course work involved. (Sources: UW Graduate School Style Manual; UW Bothell Catalog; UW Student Conduct Code) Incompletes An incomplete is given only when the student has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work until within two weeks of the end of the quarter and has furnished proof satisfactory to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. (Source: UW General Catalog Online, “Student Guide/Grading”) Grade Appeal Procedure A student who believes he or she has been improperly graded must first discuss the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s explanation, the student may submit a written appeal to the chair of the Department of Philosophy with a copy of the appeal also sent to the instructor. The chair consults with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of the student’s performance has not been arbitrary or capricious. Should the chair believe the instructor’s conduct to be arbitrary or capricious and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the chair, with the approval of the voting members of his or her faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of the Department of Philosophy to evaluate the performance of the student and assign a grade. The Dean and Provost should be informed of this action. Once a student submits a written appeal, this document and all subsequent actions on this appeal are recorded in written form for deposit in a School file. (Source: UW General Catalog Online, “Student Guide/Grading”) Concerns About a Course, an Instructor, or a Teaching Assistant If you have any concerns about a Philosophy course or your instructor, please see the instructor about these concerns as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with the instructor or not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact the chair of the program offering the course (names available from the Department of Philosophy, 361 Savery Hall). If you have any concerns about a teaching assistant, please see the teaching assistant about these concerns as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with the teaching assistant or not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact the instructor in charge of the course. If you are still not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact the chair of the program offering the course (names available from the Department of Philosophy, 361 Savery Hall), or the Graduate School at G-­‐‑1 Communications Building (543-­‐‑5900). * Adapted from material prepared by the UW Department of History and used with permission. Phil 120 Syllabus 7 For your reference, these procedures are posted on a Philosophy bulletin board outside the Department of Philosophy main office on the 3rd floor of Savery Hall. POLICIES, RULES, RESOURCES Equal Opportunity The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-­‐‑era veteran in accordance with University of Washington policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. Disability Accommodation The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request disability accommodation contact: Disabled Students Services (Seattle campus) at (206) 543-­‐‑8924/V, (206) 543-­‐‑8925/TTY, (206) 616-­‐‑8379/Fax, or e-­‐‑mail at [email protected]; Bothell Student Affairs at (425) 352-­‐‑5000/V; (425) 352-­‐‑5303/TTY, (425) 352-­‐‑5335/Fax, or e-­‐‑mail at [email protected]; Tacoma Student Services at (253) 552-­‐‑
4000/V, (253) 552-­‐‑4413/TTY, (253) 552-­‐‑4414/Fax. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is defined as the use of one’s authority or power, either explicitly or implicitly, to coerce another into unwanted sexual relations or to punish another for his or her refusal, or as the creation by a member of the University community of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment through verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. If you believe that you are being harassed, seek help—the earlier the better. You may speak with your instructor, your teaching assistant, the undergraduate advisor (363 Savery Hall), graduate program assistant (366 Savery Hall), or the chair of the Philosophy Department (364 Savery Hall). In addition, you should be aware that the University has designated special people to help you. They are: University Ombudsman and Ombudsman for Sexual Harassment (for complaints involving faculty members and teaching assistants) Susan Neff, 301 Student Union (HUB), 543-­‐‑6028; and the University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office, 616-­‐‑2028. (Sources: UW Graduate School, CIDR, Office of the President) Office of Scholarly Integrity The Office of Scholarly Integrity is housed in the Office of the Vice-­‐‑Provost. The Office of Scholarly Integrity assumes responsibility for investigating and resolving allegations of scientific and scholarly misconduct by faculty, students, and staff of the University of Washington. The Office of Scholarly Integrity coordinates, in consultation and cooperation with the Schools and Colleges, inquiries and investigations into allegations of scientific and scholarly misconduct. The Office of Scholarly Integrity is responsible for compliance with reporting requirements established by various Federal and other funding agencies in matters of scientific or scholarly misconduct. The Office of Scholarly Integrity maintains all records resulting from inquiries and investigations of such allegations. University rules (Handbook, Vol. II, Section 25-­‐‑51, Executive Order #61) define scientific and scholarly misconduct to include the following forms of inappropriate activities: intentional misrepresentation of credentials; falsification of data; plagiarism; abuse of confidentiality; deliberate violation of regulations applicable to research. Students can report cases of scientific or scholarly misconduct either to the Office of Scholarly Integrity, to their faculty adviser, or the department chair. The student should report such problems to whomever he or she feels most comfortable. (Sources: UW web page (http://www.grad.washington.edu/OSI/osi.htm); minutes of Grad School Executive Staff and Division Heads meeting, 7/23/98)