Monday and Wednesday: 11:00am - 12:15pm

BSN # 1310 Section # 001

Class runs from 8/28/00 to 12/8/00

Holidays: Sept. 4 (Labor Day), November 10, (Veterans Day) and November 23-24 (Thanksgiving)

Syllabus

Instructor: Craig Bradley

Email address: jbradle5@luna.cas.usf.edu

Home Phone: 813 915 5523

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30am - 11:00am, and by appointment.

Office: FAO 230

Office Phone: 974-5459

Course Description/Outline: This course offers a basic introduction to modern symbolic logic. You will learn 1. to translate natural language into the language of logic, 2. to identify arguments in natural language, 3. basic argument forms, 4. the nature and use of truth tables, 5. the nature and use of Venn diagrams, 6. basic deductive rules, 7. quantification theory.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of symbolic logic. The primary purpose of studying logic is to be able to evaluate the worth of an argument. We will be studying both propositional logic and first-order quantificational logic.

Text(s):

1. A Concise Introduction to Logic, by Patrick J. Hurley, 7th edition.

NOTE: the book includes a CD at the back of the book, which contains the Logic Coach software. It provides very useful exercises for your use.

There will be several quizzes given during the semester, a midterm, and a final exam.

Grades: Your final grade in Philosophy 2101 is based on:

1. Quizzes: 4 x 10% each = 40%

2. Class Participation and Attendance = 10%

3. Midterm = 20%

4. Final Examination = 30%

Grading Scale: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, 0-59% = F

Midterm: October 18th, during class.

Final Examination: December 11th, during class.

Regular and punctual class attendance is mandatory for the successful completion of this course. Absence from more than 10% of the scheduled class sessions for what ever reason is considered excessive and will result in a grade penalty unless the student can demonstrate that the absence was unavoidable (i.e. an emergency) and that s/he has completed all assigned work for that day and has mastered the material covered in class. No more than 3 unexcused absences are allowed. Three or more unexcused absences may result in an ‘F’ grade.

If you miss class for any reason please contact me ASAP and let me know why you are/were not able to attend.

I expect you to arrive on time to class. Please be here promptly when class starts.

Class time is important. You need to read the assigned materials prior to the class. I suggest you read the assigned materials over more than once.

Generally, no make up quizzes or examinations will be given. If you are absent on the day of a quiz or examination without a physician’s signed excuse or other previously approved reason, a grade of F (0%) will be recorded for that quiz or examination. If the absence is excused, either you will take a make up quiz, or else that quiz or examination will not be counted in the final determination of your grade.

Homework problems are given at the end of each chapter. I may assign homework problems, but these assignments are, for the most part, for your benefit only. I will not grade homework, only quizzes and exams. Nonetheless, it is highly encouraged that you do the exercises, since the exam questions will be nearly identical to these. Likewise, you should use the Logic Coach software program on the CD.

Class participation is part of your grade. It is essential that the reading be completed before the class session so that everyone may be able to ask appropriate questions. I will be calling on students at random to answer questions about the homework and reading. Come to class prepared.

In order to do well in this course you need to ask questions, talk in class, read the material at least twice, study, think, review, and take notes. You must ask questions and participate!

Please provide me with feedback. If you don’t understand something, if I am unclear, if I am speaking too quickly, or if you think we need to cover certain material more thoroughly, please let me know. I cannot read minds! You need to let me know your views about what works and what doesn’t. Please offer any suggestions regarding how to make the class more enjoyable and productive.

Please talk to me if you intend to sell notes or tapes of the class lectures.

Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to me, in writing, by the second class meeting.