Course Syllabus

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) Office Hour: 10am Friday (first half semester)
Lecturer: Andrew Withy (andrew.withy@auckland.ac.nz)
Office: 206-449 (Arts 1, level 4) Office Hour: 10am Friday (second half semester)
Tutor: Matteo Ravasio
Clinics 302-170 (Science Assistance room) 11am-2pm Friday.
Tuakana: Eric Soakai
Class Reps TBA

Assessment

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

Grading scale: Final grades are based on the simple sum of the coursework and exam scores. Cut-offs will be no higher than: 50 for C-; 60 for C; 70 for B-; 75 for B; 80 for B+; 85 for A-; 90 for A; and 95 for A+.

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.
We will endeavor to post lecture recordings on Canvas, for those who have attended lectures or have been sick. They will not be available in the first instance for those who simply choose not to attend lectures. 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

• Topic 1 – Logic and Arguments
• Topic 2 – The Language of Propositional Logic
• Topic 3 – Truth Tables
• Topic 4 – Argument Analysis
• Topic 5 – Truth Trees
• Topic 6 – Mid-Semester Test
• Topic 7 – Predicate Logic
• Topic 8 – Tables, Diagrams, Proofs
• Topic 9 – Relations
• Topic 10 – Truth Trees
• Topic 11 – Identity
• Topic 12 – Revision