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 formal systems of notation. The language and functionality of Logic will be introduced over the semester. No previous knowledge will be assumed. You will learn to represent propositions of English in symbolic notation; and use these to identify logical relationships, test for consistency and 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.

 

Staff

Lecturer/Course Director: Jeremy Seligman (j.seligman@auckland.ac.nz)
Office: 206-445 (Arts 1, level 4). Office Hour: Thursday 12-1

Zoom for Office Hours: https://auckland.zoom.us/j/93928444805

Lecturer: Andrew Withy (andrew.withy@auckland.ac.nz)
Office: 206-449 (Arts 1, level 4). Office Hour: Friday 3-4 (first half of semester only)
Tutor: Isabella McAllister (imca066@aucklanduni.ac.nz). Office Hours: Monday 3-4, Tuesday 1-2, Friday 11-12.
Class Rep: Erik Dacheng Yang (dyan848@aucklanduni.ac.nz). Facebook page TBA

Office Hour, Lecture, Tutorial Timetable

 

Course Details

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. There are no prerequisites.

Delivery Format

There are 2 hours of lectures and one hour of tutorials each week.
(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)
The Timetable page is an unofficial summary of locations and times

Course Outcomes

A student who successfully completes this course will have the opportunity to:

  • Symbolise natural languages in a formal language
  • Disambiguate information in a precise and concise symbolic language
  • Identify the logical structure of arguments
  • Test the logical validity of arguments
  • Organise information in logically coherent fashion

 

Assessment (Provisional)

Coursework: 30%.
Test: 20%. 
Final Exam
: 50%

  • The coursework includes tutorial contributions, and two assignments.
  • The test is open book. It tests the first half of the content.
  • The final exam is two hours long. It is held during the exam period.

Grading scale: Final grade cut-offs will be no higher than:
        50 for C-; 60 for C; 65 for C+;
        70 for B-; 75 for B; 80 for B+;
        85 for A-; 90 for A; and 95 for A+.

Deadlines and Extensions:

Deadlines for coursework are advertised on Canvas. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information. Late assignments without an extension will be declined.

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. However, we do understand that stress and external events can impinge on your study commitments. Your health and well-being is more important than assignment marks.

Well-being always comes first

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling.
There is lots of help out there - for more information,
look at this Canvas page, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

 

Written and Recorded Material

A free online textbook is available.

The material will be taught through interactive lectures and tutorials, and through self-supervised completion of exercises. You are expected to attend or view most lectures, attend most tutorials, and take your own notes.

 Lecture recordings will be posted on Canvas. However, some elements of the lectures cannot be effectively recorded. You will learn most effectively by using recordings to supplement your in-class learning e.g. for clarifying or revising specific material.

Course Topics (Provisional)

The course will cover most of the following topics:

  • The relationship between Logic, Truth, and Language
  • The Language of Truth-Functional Logic (TFL)
  • Symbolisation of English in TFL
  • TFL Truth Tables
  • TFL Truth Trees

  • The Language of Predicate Logic (PL)
  • Symbolisation of English in PL
  • PL Truth Tables
  • PL Truth Trees
  • The limits of Logic

Course Summary:

Date Details Due