Formal Logic- Spring, 2018

Philosophy 311-01	Office Hours in RH-428 (445-4489)
Formal Logic	MWF - 8:50-9:45am, and by appointment.
Syllabus for Spring, 2018 UPDATED 04.16.2018	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 arguments and attempts at persuasion, including those of 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) and Disability Support Services, reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please register for disability verification and determination of reasonable accommodations. After receiving your accommodation form, 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: No classes on the following dates: Mar. 5-9 (Spring Break), Mar. 29-Apr. 2 (Easter Weekend Break). No class scheduled Friday, April 20, so students can attend Student Scholars Day in James Commons and the Curtin Special Events Room.
Monday, Feb. 5, last day for P/F and last day to drop with no grade. Quiz 1 - Fri., Mar. 23. Friday, April 13, last day to withdraw with a "W." Quiz 2: WED., APR. 25. Optional Final exam - Friday, May 11, 12:00-2:30 P.M. Last day of class: Fri., May 7.

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. Lectures will be replaced by virtual presentations, or extended descriptions of lectures. 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 1/22 & 1/29 - 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.].
Weeks of 2/5 & 2/12 - ML, pp. 27-30, pp. 33-38. Do exercises p. 32: 1-4. pp. 40:1-4.
Week of 2/19 - 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 2/26 - Read ML, pp. 53-60. Do exercises on pp. 59-60; 1, 2, & 4.
Mar. 5-9 (Spring Break)
Week of 3/12 - Read ML, pp. 60-74. Do exercises p. 67: 2, 3, 4, & 5. p. 74: 1.
Weeks of 3/19 &3/26 - Read ML, pp. 93-113. Do exercises p. 97:1, 101:1, 108: 1-3. p. 113: 1. Quiz 1 - FRI., Mar. 23.
Mar. 29-Apr. 2 (Easter Weekend Break)
Week of 4/4 - Read ML, pp. 128-141. Do exercises p. 141: 1-3.
Weeks of 4/9 & 4/16 - Read ML, pp. 142-154. Do exercises on pp. 147-148: 1-3. 154: 2 & 4. No class scheduled Friday, April 20, so students can attend Student Scholars Day in James Commons and the Curtin Special Events Room.
Weeks of 4/23 & 4/30 - 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: WED., APR. 25.
Week of 5/7 - Read ML, pp. 182-189. (M/W) pp. 190-203. Do exercises, p. 202-203: 2, 3, & 4. Present limitations and informal logic.
Mon., May 7, last day of class, final evaluations (if they haven't already taken place).
Friday, May 11: Optional Final exam, 12:00-2:30 P.M.

(Last revised 4/16/18.)
Back to Kagan's Homepage (http://web.lemoyne.edu/~kagan/index.html)

Additional materials for logic