Formal Logic- Fall 2013

Philosophy 311-11	Office Hours in RH-428 (445-4489)
Formal Logic	MWF 9:35 -10:20 AM, TU 2-2:20PM, and by appointment.
Syllabus for Fall, 2013	Email:kagan@lemoyne.edu
Prof. Michael Kagan	Le Moyne College website: http://web.lemoyne.edu/~kagan/index.html

The course will focus on the development of the ability to analyze and criticize attempts at persuasion, offered by philosophers using the language and techniques of modern symbolic logic ("formal logic").

REQUIRED TEXTS

W.V. Quine's Methods of Logic, fourth edition (ML)

METHOD

In order to accomplish this goal, we will proceed through discussion and exercises originating in the lecture and reading material, homework, quizzes, and an optional final .

EVALUATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Homework/exercises, participation [50%];
2 quizzes and optional final [50%] - the optional final counts as 2 quizzes

SPECIAL NEEDS
In coordination with the Academic Support Center (ASC), reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please register with the ASC Office for disability verification and determination of reasonable accommodations. After receiving your accommodation form from the ASC, you will need to make an appointment with me to review the form and discuss your needs. Please make every attempt to meet with me within the first week of class so your accommodations can be provided in a timely manner. You can either stop by the ASC, Library, 1st floor, or call (445-4118-voice or 445-4104-TDD) to make an appointment.

IMPORTANT DATES:
No class or office hours on the following times/dates: Mon., Sept. 2, Labor Day; Wed. Sep. 4, Mass of the Holy Spirit (classes canceled 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM; Classes resume at 1:30); Thursday, Sep. 5 (Rosh HaShanah); Saturday September 14, (Yom Kippur); Oct. 14-15, Fall Break; Nov. 27-29, Thanksgiving Break.
Last day of class: Dec. 6 (Fri.). Quiz 1 - FRI., OCT. 18. Friday, Nov. 15, last day for P/F and last day to withdraw with a "W." Quiz 2: MON., NOV. 18. Optional Final exam - Friday, December 13, 9:00-11:30am.

CLOSINGS/CANCELLATIONS

If campus/dorms are closed due to flu or other circumstances, my intent is that the course continue. Assignments continue to be due by email. Presentations will be replaced by papers, virtual presentations, or extended descriptions of presentations. In addition to notes and group work already available there on-line, I will post updates, lecture notes, etc., to my Le Moyne College website at http://web.lemoyne.edu/~kagan/index.html

As at other times, if your situation results in your needing an extension, please let me know. Also, if internet service is down or there are other infrastructure problems, please complete the assignments and turn them in when services are restored.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Weeks of 8/26 & 9/6 - Assignment due, read ML, pp. 1-26. Do the exercises on p. 15-16: 1-4; p. 20: 1-2. p. 26: 1-2. Compare your answers to those in the back of the book [p. 305 ff.]. Mon., Sept. 2, Labor Day; Wed.
Sep. 4, Mass of the Holy Spirit (classes canceled 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM; Classes resume at 1:30).
Weeks of 9/9 & 9/16 - ML, pp. 27-30, pp. 33-38. Do exercises p. 32: 1-4. pp. 40:1-4.
Week of 9/23 - ML, pp. 40-52. Do exercises on p. 45: 1 & 3; p. 52: 2, 3, 5, & 7. On pp. 49 ff., ML, makes much of the distinction between use and mention. How might one abuse this distinction fallaciously?
Week of 9/30 - Read ML, pp. 53-60. Do exercises on pp. 59-60; 1, 2, & 4.
Week of 10/7 - Read ML, pp. 60-74. Do exercises p. 67: 2, 3, 4, & 5. p. 74: 1.
Oct. 14-15, Fall Break
Weeks of 10/16 &10/21 - Read ML, pp. 93-113. Do exercises p. 97:1, 101:1, 108: 1-3. p. 113: 1. Quiz 1 - FRI., OCT. 18.
Week of 10/28 - , Read ML, pp. 132-141. Do exercises p. 141: 1-3.
Weeks of 11/4 & 11/11 - Read ML, pp. 142-154. Do exercises on pp. 147-148: 1-3. 154: 2 & 4.
Weeks of 11/11 & 11/18 - Read ML, pp. 155-163. Do exercises on p. 162: 1. Read ML, pp. 167-182. Do exercises pp. 173-174: 2, 3, 5 & 7 (You may use the "equals sign"). Do p. 181: 1. Quiz 2: MON., NOV. 18.
Weeks of 11/25 & 12/2 - Read ML, pp. 182-189. (M/W) pp. 190-203. Do exercises, p. 202-203: 2, 3, & 4. Present limitations and informal logic. Nov. 27-29, Thanksgiving Break.
Friday, December 6, last day of class, final evaluations (if they haven't already taken place).
Friday, December 13: Optional Final exam, 9:00 - 11:30 A.M.

(Last revised 8/19/13.)
Back to Kagan's Homepage (http://web.lemoyne.edu/~kagan/index.html)

Additional materials for logic