Course Syllabus

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Welcome to PHIL.101 Introduction to Logic. In this course, you will learn the basic concepts of logical analysis and how to use them in evaluating arguments, with the help of two systems of notation. The language of Propositional Logic will be introduced in the first half of the semester, and this will be extended to the language of Predicate Logic, in the second half. You will learn to represent propositions of English in symbolic notation; and use these to identify logical relationships, test for valid arguments and find counterexamples. Logical notation is used widely in philosophy, computer science and mathematics. This course is a foundation for further study in logic as part of either the Philosophy major or the Logic and Computation major.

PHIL 101 is a Stage I Course for Philosophy (BA major), and for Logic and Computation (BA major and minor, BSc major). It is a 15 pt course with a workload of up to 10 hours / week (twice that in summer). There are no prerequisites.

Staff

Lecturer/Course Director: Jeremy Seligman (j.seligman@auckland.ac.nz)
Office: 206-445 (Arts 1, level 4)
Lecturer: Andrew Withy (andrew.withy@auckland.ac.nz)
Office: 206-449 (Arts 1, level 4)
Tutor: Daniel WIlson (daniel.wilson@auckland.ac.nz)
Office: 206-303 (Arts 1, level 3)
Tuakana: Nathan Rew (nrew454@aucklanduni.ac.nz)
Class Reps

Assessment

Quizzes: 20%. Weekly online multi-choice quizzes (best 8 of 10), due every Wednesday
Test: 30%. One hour in-class test
Final Exam: 50%

Timetable

Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday, 11-12 or 2-3 in 401-401 (Engineering ground floor)

Clinics:

  • Monday 10-11 in 201N-370 (HSB 2)
  • Wednesday 11-12 in 206-203 (Arts One, second floor / basement)
  • Thursday 9-10 in 104-G54 (Old Choral Hall ground floor)

Office Hours: 

  • Jeremy Seligman: Tuesday, Thursday 1:00-2:00, in 206-445.
  • Andrew Withy: Tuesday 12:30-1:30, in 206-449. (first half semester only)
  • Daniel Wilson: Tuesday 3:00-4:00, in 206-303; and Thursday 3:00-3:30pm, in 206-303.

Quiz Due: Every Wednesday at 5pm. Automatic extension until midnight

Mid-Semester Test: In class, Tuesday August 29th.

Written and Recorded Material

The prescribed course textbook and workbook is Rod Girle's Introduction to Logic. Some copies may be available second-hand through the bookshop. The material will be taught through interactive lectures, and through self-supervised completion of exercises in the workbook. You are expected to attend all the lectures and take your own notes.
While we will endeavor to post lecture recordings on Canvas, this is never a substitute for lecture attendance. We cannot guarantee that the recording technology will work smoothly for every lecture. Also, some elements of the lectures cannot be recorded. You will learn most effectively by using recordings to supplement your in-class learning e.g. for clarifying or revising specific material.

Course Schedule

Course Summary:

Date Details Due