Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jennifer Duke-Yonge
Contact via jennifer.duke-yonge@mq.edu.au
By arrangement
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Logic is concerned with the study of good reasoning. While PHL137 examines reasoning as it occurs in everyday life, this unit is a course in formal logic, where we look behind these particular contexts and consider what it is that makes a piece of reasoning good or bad: What makes one claim follow from another? People disagree about all sorts of things, but are there some claims and arguments that any rational person must accept? If so, what is special about those claims and arguments? In this unit, you will learn to use formal techniques to prove whether certain kinds of arguments are valid or invalid, and will examine some of the philosophical problems that arise in connection with the methods and assumptions of formal logic.
The unit is suitable for those with an interest in the nature and philosophy of logic for its own sake, and for those who want to understand the techniques of formal logic for use in philosophy, or in other areas such as computing, mathematics and linguistics.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Requests for extensions for exercises or quizzes should be directed to Jenny as soon as possible, and will only be granted in cases of illness or misadventure. Exercises that are submitted late without an extension (or which are submitted after the extension date) will lose one mark for each day late, including weekends.
Anyone who misses an in-class test due to illness or misadventure should contact the convenor as soon as possible to arrange a supplementary test.
Other assessment problems should be discussed with the convenor as soon as they arise.
Rationale for unit assessment
Assessment is spread through the unit in such a way that no task is too heavily weighted, and you will always receive feedback on one assessment before having to do the next.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Online quiz 1 | 5% | No | 11.59pm, Sun 20/8 (Wk3) |
Take-home task 1 | 10% | No | Thursday 31/8 |
In-class test | 30% | No | Sat 16/9, 2-3pm |
Online quiz 2 | 5% | No | 11.59pm, Sun 22/10 (Wk10) |
Take-home task 2 | 25% | No | Thursday 26/10 |
Online quiz 3 | 15% | No | 11.59pm Sun 12/11 (Wk13) |
Participation | 10% | No | Weeks 2-12 |
Due: 11.59pm, Sun 20/8 (Wk3)
Weighting: 5%
Online quiz 1 is available from 9am Monday August 14 until 11.59pm on Sunday August 20 (week 3). It consists of five multiple choice questions, and you will have 20 minutes to complete it. Further instructions and a sample quiz will be made available through iLearn.
The quiz covers material from weeks 1 and 2, and is designed to give you early feedback on your progress in the unit.
Criterion for assessment: understanding of content from first two weeks, as demonstrated by correct choice of answer in multiple choice quiz.
Due: Thursday 31/8
Weighting: 10%
A short exercise based on material from the first four weeks.
The exercise will be made available via iLearn on Thursday of week 4 (24/8). It is due on Thursday of Wk 5 (31/8). It will be returned in week 6.
Criterion for assessment: Demonstrated understanding of logical concepts and methods from weeks 1-4.
Due: Sat 16/9, 2-3pm
Weighting: 30%
The in-class test for external students will be held during the on-campus session on Saturday the 16th of September (end of Week 7). The session goes from 10am - 3pm, and the test will be held at 2pm. See the 'on-campus session' page of this guide for further information.
In-class test 'safety net'
Any student who makes a serious attempt at the first in-class test but receives a mark under 50% for it, will be given the opportunity to complete some additional work as determined by the convenor, and sit a supplementary test on a Pass/Fail basis (ie for a maximum mark of 50%) at a time to be negotiated with Jenny, no later than the end of week 9. No extensions of time will be given. This opportunity is only available for the in-class test, and is intended to help ensure that all students meet the learning outcomes for the first part of the course required for success in the second half.
Criterion for assessment: Demonstrated understanding of logical concepts and methods from weeks 1-6.
Due: 11.59pm, Sun 22/10 (Wk10)
Weighting: 5%
Online quiz 2 is available from 9am Monday October 16 until 11.59pm on Sunday October 22 (week 10). It consists of five multiple choice questions, covering material from weeks 8 and 9, and you will have 20 minutes to complete it. Further instructions will be given through iLearn.
Criterion for assessment: understanding of content from weeks 8 and 9, as demonstrated by correct choice of answers in multiple choice quiz.
Due: Thursday 26/10
Weighting: 25%
A take-home exercise based on material from weeks 8-10.
The exercise will be made available via iLearn on Thursday of week 9 (12/10). It is due on Thursday of Wk 11 (26/10). It will be returned in week 12.
Criterion for assessment: Demonstrated understanding of logical concepts and methods from weeks 8-10
Due: 11.59pm Sun 12/11 (Wk13)
Weighting: 15%
The final online quiz will cover material from the second half of the unit, with a focus on weeks 11-13. It will be available from midday Monday to 11.59pm Sunday of week 13.
It will consist of five multiple-choice questions and two short-answer questions (requiring one-paragraph answers). This is a timed quiz, and you will have one hour to complete it. A sample will be made available via iLearn.
Criterion for assessment: understanding of content from second half of the unit, with a focus on weeks 11-13, as demonstrated by correct choice of answers in multiple choice questions; and understanding and clarity in answers to short answer questions.
Due: Weeks 2-12
Weighting: 10%
Participation is an essential part of this unit, since you will be developing a set of skills that are formed through practice. You will therefore be assessed on your level of engagement with the content throughout the unit.
External students’ participation marks will be based primarily on the weekly submission of short review exercises on which feedback will be provided by the convenor. Review questions will be provided on Thursdays from week 2 onwards and will be due by the following Thursday, except in weeks 5 and 11, when there are formal homework exercises due. A schedule of external homework tasks will be available through iLearn.
These are participation exercises, rather than tests: It is important to note that your mark will depend not on whether you get the exercises right or wrong, but on your engagement with the course activities as demonstrated by your having attempted them. These exercises are designed to allow your teacher to see how you’re going and provide feedback and assistance as required, to scaffold your progress through the unit. Feedback will be provided individually, and through an ‘external students’ forum’ on the website where you can also learn from your classmates.
In most weeks your exercise will be submitted directly to the convenor, who will mark and return it within a few days, but in a few of the weeks where we are covering more philosophical material, the participation exercise will involve engaging in a discussion of a set question or topic on the discussion forum. More information about these participation exercises will be given in iLearn.
They will be assessed based on engagement and preparation, as demonstrated by your making a serious attempt at the questions set.
CLASSES
There are two lectures each week, at 11-12 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Both of these lectures will be recorded through the Echo 360 system, and audio and video lectures will be available through the unit website shortly after delivery.
Further advice on studying this unit externally will be available through iLearn.
REQUIRED TEXT
The textbook for the unit is Logic Greg Restall (UCL Press, ISBN 9780415400688). This book will be used throughout the course and you will need a copy of it. It is available at the Co-op Bookshop.
UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
- For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help - For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm
PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions)
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are now operating in this unit.
PASS sessions are not compulsory, but are highly recommended for all students taking this unit.
PASS sessions are 1 hour weekly study groups where students get together to consolidate their understanding of the course material; reinforce key concepts and develop effective study strategies. Students work in small study groups facilitated by skilled leaders who will specifically guide your learning. PASS Leaders are former students of this unit who achieved excellent results themselves, and who have been trained as PASS leaders to help you get the most out of the unit.
PASS is for everyone – it is not a remedial program for struggling students, but a program for all students who want to improve their performance.
More information about PASS sessions will be given in the first lecture, and through iLearn. These will be held on-campus only, but any external students who can make it are very welcome to attend.
Week |
Reading | |
Formal propositional logic |
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Week 1 31/7 &2/8 |
Introduction; Propositions and Arguments No tutorials this week |
Restall, Chapter 1 |
Week 2 7 & 9/8 |
Translation: Connectives and argument forms | Restall, Chapter 2 |
Week 3 14 & 16/8 |
Truth tables First online quiz this week |
Restall, Chapter 3 |
Week 4 21 & 23/8 |
Trees |
Restall, Chapter 4 |
Problems in the Philosophy of Logic (1) |
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Week 5 28 & 30/8
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Vagueness and bivalence Take-home task 1 due this week |
Restall, Chapters 5 |
Week 6 4 & 6/9 |
Conditionality | Restall, Chapter 6 |
Week 7 11 & 13/9 |
Revision (Monday); Test (Wednesday) Saturday 16/9: External students' on-campus session and test |
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Midsemester break |
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Formal predicate logic |
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Week 8 4/10
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Introduction to predicate logic: predicates, names and quantifiers (I) No lecture monday: public holiday |
Restall, Chapter 8 (pages TBA) |
Week 9 9 & 11/10 |
Introduction to predicate logic: predicates, names and quantifiers (II)
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Restall, Chapter 8 (remainder) |
Week 10 16 & 18/10 |
Trees for predicate logic Second online quiz this week |
Restall, Chapter 10 |
Week 11 23 &25/10 |
Identity Second take-home task due this week in tutorials |
Restall, Chapter 11 (excluding "Functions") |
Problems in the Philosophy of Logic (2) | ||
Week 12 30/10 &1/11 |
Definite Descriptions Non-existence
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Restall, Chapters 12 and 13 |
Week 13 6 & 8/11 |
Monday: What is a predicate? What is logic? No lecture on Wednesday, and no tutorials. |
Restall, Chapters 14 and 15 (pages TBA)
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Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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Change to textbook, assessment and topics.
There will be one on-campus session for external students, on Saturday 16th of September from10am-3pm. Check the timetable or the external students' forum closer to those dates for confirmation of the location of the sessions.
All external students must attend from 2-3pm, to complete the in-class tests, each worth 30% of the assessment for the course. If this is a problem for anyone, contact the convenor as soon as possible.
The morning session from 10-1 is an optional but strongly recommended session for exercises, discussion, revision and test preparation.