philosophy 170, introduction to logic
summer 2016 (31 May – 21 June)
Michael McCourt
[email protected]
course websites
office
office hours
class times
ELMS; https://oli.cmu.edu/
Skinner 1118c
by appointment
online, various
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semester
instructor
email
course description
This course will introduce students to two logical systems: Propositional Logic and First Order
Logic. For each we discuss the syntax (what it means to construct a well formed sentence in the
logic), the semantics (how one decides whether or not a sentence in the logic is true), a proof theory
(how, if you know some true things, you can figure out what else is true), and how to translate
between the logics and a natural language (English).
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textbook
We will be using an online textbook/tutorial called Logic & Proofs, part of the Open Learning
Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. The course was developed by Wilfred Sieg and Dawn
McLaughlin. The cost is $80. To access the course:
1. Go to https://oli.cmu.edu. (A link is provided via the course ELMS page.)
2. Follow the instructions to register and pay for the course. The course key is umd-170.
3. Notes about the textbook and software.
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• You need to have the latest version of Java installed to run the LogicLab. If you
aren’t sure if you have the latest version of Java (or don’t know what Java is), you can
test your system here: https://oli.cmu.edu/configure/l_and_p-6.1_exam_pkg_a1.0.htmland follow the instructions to install Java.
• The browsers that are supported include IE, Firefox and Safari (note that Google
Chrome is not supported. It is best if you do not use Chrome to access the site).
• Contact me if you have any problems accessing the course website.
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academic support
You should make sure you are familiar with the rules regarding proper academic conduct as outlined at http://www.shc.umd.edu/.
tutoring. The Academic Achievement Programs offers free tutoring for PHIL170 through the
Academic Success and Tutorial Services office. To connect with a complimentary, peer tutor for this
course, sign up directly at https://umdtutoring.mywconline.com/.
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accommodations. Students who require special accommodations should inform the instructor at
the beginning of the course, and must provide the appropriate documentation from the DSS office
(see http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/).
grading policy
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The course requirements are: quizzes (20%), problem sets (20%), and 3 exams (60%).
quizzes. There are 9 quizzes scheduled. These quizzes are to be taken online. You will have two
opportunities to take each quiz, with the higher score counting toward your final grade. Due dates
for the quizzes are listed below in the schedule.
problem sets. There are 7 graded problems sets (or “labs”) scheduled. These problems sets are to
be completed online. These are collections of more challenging problems that test your grasp of a
given chapter’s material. Due dates for the problem sets are listed below in the schedule.
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(Additional, optional problem sets will be made available throughout the course. These are meant as
practice for the graded assignments. These are not listed in the schedule below, but will be
recommended as we go along.)
exams. There are three exams scheduled. The course is divided into three subsections (or “phases”),
with an exam at the end of each. Exams will be completed online, and will consist of three parts: a
quiz, and two problem sets. Each exam is made available 72 hours before it is due.
EXAM 1
available Friday, 3 June at 11:59PM
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due by Monday, 6 June at 11:59PM
EXAM 2
available Friday, 10 June at 11:59PM
due by Monday, 13 June at 11:59PM
EXAM 3
available Saturday, 18 June at 11:59PM
due by Tuesday, 21 June at 11:59PM
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schedule of readings and assignments
*** phase 1: propositional logic (31 May – 6 June)
reading
assignments
31 May (Tu)
chapters 1, 3
chapter 1 lab and quiz; chapter 3 quiz
1 June (We)
chapter 4
chapter 4 quiz
2 June (Th)
chapters 4, 5
3 June (Fr)
chapter 5
4 June (Sa)
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5 June (Su)
-
6 June (Mo)
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chapter 5 quiz
chapter 5 lab
EXAM 1
EXAM 1
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EXAM 1 DUE at 11:59PM
*** phase 2: derivations in propositional logic (7 – 13 June)
reading
assignments
7 June (Tu)
chapter 6
chapter 6 lab
8 June (We)
chapter 6
chapter 6 quiz
9 June (Th)
chapter 7
chapter 7 lab and quiz
10 June (Fr)
chapter 9
chapter 9 lab and quiz
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date
11 June (Sa)
-
EXAM 2
12 June (Su)
-
EXAM 2
13 June (Mo)
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EXAM 2 DUE at 11:59PM
*** phase 3: first-order logic (14 – 21 June)
reading
assignments
14 June (Tu)
chapter 10
chapter 10 lab
15 June (We)
chapter 10
chapter 10 quiz
16 June (Th)
chapter 11
chapter 11 lab
17 June (Fr)
chapter 11
chapter 11 quiz
18 June (Sa)
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“reading day”
19 June (Su)
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EXAM 3
20 June (Mo)
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EXAM 3
21 June (Tu)
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EXAM 3 DUE at 11:59PM
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date
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