SYLLABUS
Pierce College: Fall 2016 - Phil 9: Symbolic Logic 0910 (Online)
Note: All meetings for this class are online. Access the class by logging
in to https://ilearn.instructure.com/
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Contact Info
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Name: Cara Gillis
Email: [email protected] (please put the following in the subject
heading: 0910 - Your Name)
Phone: Please do NOT call me. (818) 710-2256
Office Hours: I will be in my office (FO 2603) Monday 3:45-6:30
and Wednesday 1:20-3:20, and by appointment on Skype. You are
free to drop in if you live in the area.
On three Mondays (TBA) my office hours will be from 5:00-6:30pm
Online Office Hours:
o Use Skype: drcaragillis (adding me on Skype is a VERY good
idea for this class)
o To set up an online meeting, send me an email requesting a
time and we'll work something out.
Required Text
D. Barker-Plummer, J. Barwise and J. Etchemendy: Language, Proof,
and Logic, 2nd edition CSLI Publications.
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You MUST have a new copy of the text and CD. The package has a
unique registration number. You can no longer borrow a used from
a friend who gives you access to their email address.
In addition to buying the package at the bookstore, you can also
order the material directly from the publisher here:
http://ggweb.gradegrinder.net/store
o Order either the full paperless package or the physical package.
You need the text by the start of the second week of class at the
latest.
This is the text website: https://ggweb.gradegrinder.net/lpl It has
all kinds of great tips and things you can do.
About the Text
Language, Proof, and Logic uses a computer program to teach the
principles of logic. Exercises are done on a computer and submitted
online through a program called Submit. The Grade Grinder
automatically grades your homework and sends your scores to both
you and me. One of the fantastic things about this program is that it
permits you to submit your homework to yourself first (without
sending an official score to me). This allows you to verify your
answers and make changes. Theoretically you can, therefore, keep
checking your answers until they are all correct before you submit an
official copy. The one drawback of this program is that you need to
have access to a computer with internet access and have an email
address. If you do not have a personal computer you can run the
program off of the disk on any computer (eg., your friends, the
schools, internet café, etc.) Of course, since this is an online class,
that shouldn't be a problem.
Course Description
We will cover the basics of logical inference as based on connectives
(and, or, not, etc.) and quantifiers (for all, there exists). The focus of
the course is on valid inference: the students will learn how to produce
and assess arguments that are logically valid.
A Note About Logic
Logic can be very difficult for some people and ridiculously easy for
others. Most of this will be confusing initially. The class is designed so
that even those without a natural affinity for the discipline can do well
provided they do the work. Although the Grade Grinder will catch
plagiarism, talking through problems together can facilitate the
learning process. I strongly recommend that you talk with your
classmates about the homework and the readings. A study group is
an excellent idea, either in person or virtually. Also, if you are feeling
completely lost in class come see me immediately. If you are confused
on a certain topic it's probably only going to get worse without help.
DO NOT PANIC: Keep calm and come see me. If you can't see me,
participate in an online office hour or talk with me on Skype. Of
course, some of you will grasp all the concepts quickly and easily and
some of you will take longer. Remember that everyone will learn at a
different pace.
Goals of the Class
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Gain an understanding of logical inference.
Learn to manipulate the language of First Order Logic, including
connectives and quantifiers.
Understand systemic methods of testing validity, including truth
tables and formal proofs.
Student Learning Outcome
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Symbolize statements in both propositional and quantifier logic
(including relationships expressed with dyadic predicates).
Use a truth table method to test propositional arguments and other
methods to test arguments involving quantifiers.
Use a natural deduction system to present derivations in both
propositional and quantifier logic.
Emailing
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The only email address I will use for student correspondence
is [email protected] If you send an email else where, I will not
get back to you.
Please use an appropriate name for your address.
Do not use ALL CAPS, profanity, !!!!!, etc.
In the subject line, please write: 0910 - Your Name.
Do not expect an immediate response (note that not all emails
require a direct response.) This is particularly true if there is no
emergency involved (note that lack of preparation on your part
does not constitute an emergency on my part.) Don't wait until the
last minute if you have a problem. Again, if you have sent a
legitimate email and I haven't responded after 72 hours, please
send it again.
Practice proper grammar when writing emails.
Think before you send. Remember that what you write in an email
becomes part of a permanent record of interaction with me.
Messaging
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You may contact me via Skype (which is the preferred method.
Here are some messaging policies
Introduce yourself by your real name and class name and number
when you ping me.
Use proper grammar and spell in proper English. Don't worry about
typos, we all make them, but do not use "text talk” or I will be
LSHMBH b/c I DNC.
Do not get offended if I don't respond. I'm not ignoring you - I'm
probably away from my computer.
Class Late Policy
Barring some kind of emergency, I will not accept any late
assignments.
Plagiarism
ANY sharing of files, using someone else's files, copying files,
considered cheating. If you cheat, you will receive a zero for
assignment and be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs.
one week of homework is insignificant when compared to the
incurred by cheating. Avoid it.
etc. is
the
Missing
penalties
ONLINE CLASSES
Are You Ready to Take an Online Course?
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Consider the following questions (excerpted from
http://coursecatalog.com/dbpages/learn/asp_assess.htm):
Do you stay on task without direct supervision?
Can you prioritize your own workload?
Do you learn best from reading text and assignments?
Do you enjoy learning new computer or technology skills?
Do you usually understand written instructions?
Would you plan to allocate as much time in your schedule for an
online course as you would for a more "traditional' face-to-face
class?
Do you learn well on your own?
Do you enjoy taking on new projects?
Do you stick to the job no matter what happens?
Are you well organized in terms of time management?
If you answered "yes” to these questions, then you are suited to an
online class. If you answered "no” to these questions, an online
class may still be for you, but you need to think hard about how
you will stay motivated and on task.
Who Probably Should NOT Take an Online Course?
Here are some thoughts about who may struggle with an online
course. Of course, this list is in no way meant to be definitive, rather
it's meant to highlight some things or personality traits to be aware of.
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You're a procrastinator: There MANY things that need to get done
in an online course and many deadlines, you can't succeed by
putting everything off until the last minute.
You don't like to read: There is LOTS of reading in an online course,
much more than in a traditional course. If you don't like reading,
this will be challenging.
It's your first class in college or your first class back to college after
a long absence: This is a tricky one. If I can't see your face when
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I'm explaining the material I can't always tell if you understand
it. You're going to be learning a lot of very dense material and if
you're out of practice thinking "hard” then this course will be more
challenging than a traditional course. That being said, if this
characteristic describes you, you're more than welcome to come
see me in my office hours to chat about all the readings.
You're already over-extended: This class is going to take up a lot
of your time, much more than a regular class. Don't look at it like
"easy” units. These are definitely harder, more time-consuming
units.
Finally, online classes are not self-paced. The pace is set, you need
to do the work to match it.
REQUIREMENTS
SKYPE
Download Skype (www.skype.com) and add me (DrCaraGillis). This is
how you can communicate with me directly. This is a requirement.
SYLLABUS QUIZ
You must take the Syllabus Quiz during the first week of class. Failure
to do so will result in you being dropped from the class.
INTRODUCTION FORUM
You must introduce yourself on the Introduction Forum during the first
week of class. Failure to do so will result in you being dropped from
the class.
SUBMISSION ASSIGNMENTS
(50%) Each week you are assigned several problems that are
recommended ("Homework") and one "Submission Assignment" that
must be submitted to me. Although I strongly recommend that you do
all of the suggested homework, you are only required to officially
submit the "Submission Assignment” to me. "Submission Assignments"
always due on Sunday before 11:55pm. Submission Assignments
are graded on a 5 point scale. 5 = all the assigned questions are
complete and have correct answers; 4 = the majority (75%) of the
questions are complete with correct answers OR all the assigned
questions are complete but only half have correct answers; 3 = neither
all the assigned questions are complete, nor do they have correct
answers, but the student made a relatively "full faith” effort on the
assignment; 1 = some attempt was made but the majority of the
questions were incomplete and with incorrect answers; 0 = no full
faith effort was demonstrated (there are many ways I can interpret
this). There are 13 weeks of homework assignments for a total of 13
Submission Assignments and I will only count the best 10. You will
receive a score out of 50. You can check the Canvas gradebook
weekly to see your scores.
How to Use Grade Grinder and Submit
Click here to read the LPL explanation of how the Grade Grinder
works. Here is a list of FAQs for Submit. The Submit program is the
program you use to submit the submission assignments. When you
open Submit, you need to fill in the information. The registration ID is
the number printed on your CD. Your name is your name. Your email
address is the address where you want Submit to send you your
results. NOTE: Once you assign an email address to the Registration
ID you have only 30 days to change. This explains the basic
registration process. After you've done a submission, you can log in to
your account on the LPL page to change your email address within the
first 30 days. Your instructor's name is Cara Gillis. Your instructor's
email account is [email protected] (VERY IMPORTANT! IT IS NOT
MY PIERCE EMAIL). Make sure that you put in the appropriate email
address. The Grade Grinder will catch plagiarism and file-sharing,
which result in a 0 for the assignment and I will report you to
Academic Affairs.
NOTE: You DO NOT submit all of the homework to me; you only
submit the submission assignment to me. I strongly recommend
that you do the homework and check it with the Grade Grinder, but
the only thing that I will grade (and the only thing to submit to
"Instructor Too") is the submission assignment.
MIDTERM – October 30th
(20%) The midterm exam will be comprised on proofs, translations,
and tables that you will not be able to check through grade grinder.
FINAL – December 14th
(30%) The final exam will be comprised on proofs, translations, and
tables that you will not be able to check through grade grinder.
Grading Scale
My grading scheme is as follows:
• A >89%
• B >79%
• C >69%
• D <69%
• F <59%
Note: Because I “give” you an extra percent of grace in comparison to
a traditional grading scheme (i.e. A >90%) I will NOT round up any
grade (i.e. 88.9 = B.)
ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Getting Started (Enrolled Students Only)
Check your student schedule to make sure you are officially enrolled in
the class, then:
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Go to https://ilearn.instructure.com/
Click on your class link with the "CORRECT” section number. (Chose
the link with the appropriate semester, year, and section number)
Look around and familiarize yourself with the course.
You MUST check to the Introduction Forum in week 1 or you
will lose your spot in the class. This is serious, nonnegotiable, even if you do other things in week 1 if you don't
introduction yourself on the Introduction Forum you will be
dropped!
Grading and the Grade Book
Your assignment grades will be posted in the grade book. I'll update
your scores every 2-3 weeks.
Dropping the Course
You must drop yourself. Otherwise you will get the grade, most likely
an F, of someone who remained enrolled but who didn't complete the
assignments. Check the Pierce calendar for the schedule of drop
deadlines. The exception to dropping yourself is this: Prior to census
date (September 11th) I will send out an email to those who have
failed to meet the week 1 requirements (Introduction Forum and
Syllabus Quiz). If you don’t complete the week 1 requirements before
September 11th you will be dropped on September 11th. Note that this
will result in you having a W on your transcript. If you want to drop
the class without incurring a W the last day to do so is September
10th.
Incompletes
I will only give incompletes in cases where you can completed the
majority of the class work, have demonstrated a full-faith effort to
complete the class, and have a documentable and legitimate reason
for why you failed to compete all the assignments.
Student Services
If you need help paying for books and other college expenses, call the
Financial Aid Office at (818) 719-6428 or see them in the College
Services Building http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/financial_aid.
You should also check out the additional services available to Pierce
Students either online at www.piercecollege.edu or in the Pierce
College Schedule of Classes.
Special Services
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all
qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to "reasonable
accommodations." Anyone with a learning disability (e.g., dyslexia,
test-taking anxiety, etc.) should see me at once about any special
accommodations that need to be made. You deserve to have your
learning needs accommodated! The Learning Center and Special
Services are both terrific and free
resources. http://www.piercecollege.edu/departments/learning_center
/ We work closely with the Disabled Students Program & Services
office and have computer software and hardware available to meet
special requirements. The office of Disabled Students Programs is
located in the Administration Building, Room 1024 (818-719-6430).
Three Attempts Policy
Familiarize yourself with the new statewide policy regarding how many
times you may attempt a class before you are ‘locked out’ of further
attempts in the LACCD. See thePierce College Schedule of Classes,
the Counseling Center, or me for more info.
Name and Gender Policy
The campus provides me with a roster that lists the name that it has
on record for you. I realize that many of you prefer a different name.
In such cases, feel free to either email me or correct me in class and
I’ll gladly refer to you however you wish. The same applies with
gender identity – if you identify with a particular pronoun, set of
pronouns, or always by your proper name, please let me know and I’ll
be sure to my part.
Current and Former Foster Students
Pierce College is making a special effort to support current and former
foster youths at Pierce College. If you are a current or former foster
youth you may qualify for other support services to help you achieve
your educational goals. Please contact our Guardian Scholars Program
at (818) 710-3323 or send an email to
[email protected] so you can get the support you
are eligible for.