Students
PHL 134 – Formal Logic
2017 – S2 Day
General Information
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| 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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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Use truth tables and variants to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in predicate logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
- Demonstrate commitment to learning through regular engagement
General Assessment Information
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online quiz 1 | 5% | No | 11.59pm, Sun 20/8 (Wk3) |
| Take-home task 1 | 10% | No | In Wk 5 tuts (30/8&31/8) |
| In-class test | 30% | No | Wed 13/9/17 (Wk7) |
| Online quiz 2 | 5% | No | 11.59pm, Sun 22/10 (Wk10) |
| Take-home task 2 | 25% | No | In Wk 11 tuts (25&26/10)) |
| Online quiz 3 | 15% | No | 11.59pm Sun 12/11 (Wk13) |
| Participation | 10% | No | Weeks 2-12 |
Online quiz 1
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
Take-home task 1
Due: In Wk 5 tuts (30/8&31/8)
Weighting: 10%
A short exercise based on material from the first four weeks.
The exercise will be made available via iLearn on the day of your tutorial in week 4. It is due at the beginning of your tutorial in week 5. It will be returned in your tutorial in week 6. Anyone who will not be in the tutorial in week 5 must make arrangements to submit the exercise directly to Jenny before the tutorial time.
Criterion for assessment: Demonstrated understanding of logical concepts and methods from weeks 1-4.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Use truth tables and variants to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
In-class test
Due: Wed 13/9/17 (Wk7)
Weighting: 30%
An in-class test for all internal students will be held in the lecture on Wednesday the 13th of September (Week 7).It will be a 50 minute test, covering material from weeks 1-6. The Monday lecture in week 7 will be used for test revision.
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Use truth tables and variants to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Online quiz 2
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
Take-home task 2
Due: In Wk 11 tuts (25&26/10))
Weighting: 25%
A take-home exercise based on material from weeks 8-10.
The take-home task will be made available via iLearn on the day of your tutorial in Week 9. It is due at the beginning of your tutorial in week 11. It will be returned in the week 12 tutorials. Anyone who will not be in the tutorial in week 11 must make arrangements to submit the exercise directly to Jenny before the tutorial time.
Criterion for assessment: Demonstrated understanding of logical concepts and methods from weeks 8-10.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in predicate logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
Online quiz 3
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in predicate logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Participation
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.
Internal students will be assessed on participation in weekly tutorials (weeks 2-6 and 8-12). This is not merely a matter of attendance, but involves coming prepared, engaging in class discussions, asking and answering questions etc. Your mark for participation will depend on your level of engagement, rather than on how many answers you get right. Asking questions is as good a demonstration of engagement as answering them.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Use truth tables and variants to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in predicate logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
- Demonstrate commitment to learning through regular engagement
Delivery and Resources
CLASSES
Internal students are required to attend two lectures and one tutorial each week. The tutorials for each week follow on directly from the lectures, so we will be discussing each week's lecture topics in the same week's tutorials. Tutorials begin in week 2. There are no tutorials in weeks 7 and 13. Jenny Duke-Yonge is the lecturer and tutor for this unit.
The timetable for this unit can be found at https://timetables.mq.edu.au. You should check the timetable prior to the start of the Session for any updates.
Please note that this unit is not offered with an internal iLearn only option. This is partly because the tutorials run directly on from the lectures, and partly because of the in-class assessment in Week 7.
If you are unable to attend one or both of the lectures on a regular basis, you should:
- Consider enrolling as an external student, or
- Enrol in a tutorial that gives you time to catch up on the iLectures before coming to the tutorial, and ensure that you do so. You will still need to make arrangements to come to the Wednesday lecture in week 7, when the in-class test will be held.
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.
Unit Schedule
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Week |
Reading | |
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Formal propositional logic |
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Week 1 31/7 &2/8 |
Introduction; Propositions and Arguments No tutorials this week |
Restall, Chapter 1 |
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Week 2 7 & 9/8 |
Translation: Connectives and argument forms | Restall, Chapter 2 |
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Week 3 14 & 16/8 |
Truth tables First online quiz this week |
Restall, Chapter 3 |
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Week 4 21 & 23/8 |
Trees |
Restall, Chapter 4 |
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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 |
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Week 6 4 & 6/9 |
Conditionality | Restall, Chapter 6 |
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Week 7 11 & 13/9 |
Revision (Monday); Test (Wednesday) No tutorials this week |
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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) |
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Week 9 9 & 11/10 |
Introduction to predicate logic: predicates, names and quantifiers (II)
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Restall, Chapter 8 (remainder) |
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Week 10 16 & 18/10 |
Trees for predicate logic Second online quiz this week |
Restall, Chapter 10 |
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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) | ||
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Week 12 30/10 &1/11 |
Definite Descriptions Non-existence
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Restall, Chapters 12 and 13 |
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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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Learning and Teaching Activities
Lectures
Tutorials
Reading and exercises
Online resources
PASS sessions
Policies and Procedures
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.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
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.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
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.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Assessment tasks
- In-class test
- Take-home task 2
- Online quiz 3
- Participation
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
Assessment task
- Participation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
- Demonstrate commitment to learning through regular engagement
Assessment tasks
- In-class test
- Online quiz 3
- Participation
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Use truth tables and variants to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in predicate logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Assessment tasks
- Online quiz 1
- Take-home task 1
- In-class test
- Online quiz 2
- Take-home task 2
- Online quiz 3
- Participation
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Assessment tasks
- Take-home task 1
- In-class test
- Take-home task 2
- Online quiz 3
- Participation
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Translate between English and the language of propositional logic
- Use truth tables and variants to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in propositional logic
- Translate between English and the language of predicate logic.
- Use trees to test formulas and arguments in predicate logic
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Assessment tasks
- Take-home task 1
- In-class test
- Take-home task 2
- Online quiz 3
- Participation
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand and apply fundamental logical concepts
- Understand and explain some central problems in the philosophy of logic arising out of the formal methods studied, and some of the main responses to those problems.
Assessment tasks
- Take-home task 1
- In-class test
- Take-home task 2
- Online quiz 3
- Participation
Changes from Previous Offering
Change to textbook, assessment and topics.