This course is an introduction to logic. In ordinary language, we give arguments to convince each other that certain conclusions are true, and certain others are false. What you may not be aware of is that these ordinary-language arguments have an underlying formal structure that can be mapped and studied. In this class, we will study this abstract formal structure. In the process, we will become familiar with certain logical properties such as: validity, soundness, consistency, inconsistency, entailment, contradiction, etc. We will learn a particular formal language--the First Order Language, or FOL--along with a set of derivation rules, which will allow us to construct proofs in FOL.

To some of you, this class may feel more like a math class than a philosophy class. To others, you may feel that this is more like a class of games, whereby once you learn the rules, there are various moves you can make and ways you can 'win'. You will both be right. Like math, this is a formal language, together with certain legitimate rules and functions, that we can use to yield certain other 'answers'. Like a game, once we learn the rules, there are all sorts of ways to prove one conclusion or another, given certain premises as our starting point. Both of these features are the result of FOL being an abstract, formal system. My hope is that the abstract nature of the subject matter does not fool any of you into thinking it is unimportant or impractical. On the contrary--and as I will stress in the first week--grasping the heart of what makes us rational creatures is crucial for understanding who we are as human beings. Moreover, the skill of being able to navigate around an argument, or to be able to coolly and rationally defend a particular point of view, is always valued (and valuable) no matter what your area of study.

Required Texts

We will be using Language, Proof and Logic by Barwise and Etchemendy. This text is available in the Oberlin Bookstore, or on-line. It is a text/software package, so make sure that you get both the textbook and the software. Also, each CD ROM is registered to only one user so do NOT buy the text/software package used; it will only be of use to you new. Many of the assignments will require you to use the software, or submit your answers through the Grade Grinder. I will explain the process as the semester continues.

Textbook Website: http://lpl.stanford.edu

Course Requirements

(i) 5 Problem Sets

Problem Sets will be a combination of the exercises that are given at the end of each chapter. As you will soon see, some of the exercises are submitted through the Grade Grinder, some are submitted directly to me (or one of the TAs), and some require you to figure out whether the answer is submitted through the Grade Grinder or to me. All of the written portions of the Problem Sets will be due by the beginning of class the day that they are due. That is: the written exercises should be turned in IN class. You have until midnight to turn in the Grade Grinder submissions. If you do not turn in the written portion of the Problem Set by the beginning of class, or do not submit the electronic Grade Grinder submissions by midnight of the due date, your assignment will be considered one day late (see Late Policy below).

(ii) 1 Final Exam

The final will be in-class, closed book, and comprehensive.

(iii) Participation

You know the drill: attend class, participate, engage in the material, meet with me or the TAs with any questions you have, etc. Any time you spend with the TAs, with me in office hours, in constructing course-related emails, in asking course-related questions in class and out, will count towards your participation grade.

Grades

Your final grade in this course will be broken down as follows*:

Problem Set 1                  15%
Problem Set 2                  15%
Problem Set 3                  15%
Problem Set 4                  15%
Problem Set 5                  15%
Participation                    5%
Final Exam                      20%

*Caveat: You must turn in all of the required assignments, and pass the final exam, in order to pass the class.

Late Policy

All Problem Sets are due by the beginning of class, on the date assigned. Any assignments that are turned in later that day, after the scheduled time, will be considered one day late. The penalty for late assignments is 10% PER DAY, where the lateness of the assignment is determined by the time that the LAST portion of the assignment is submitted. So, for example, if you turn in the written portion of an assignment on time, but turn in the electronic submission one day late, the entire assignment will be counted one day late (and thus marked down 10%).

No extensions will be given unless there is a documented medial or personal emergency.

Honor Code

It is expected that everyone in the class has read, understood, and obeys Oberlin College’s Honor Code.

In this class, it is fine--and even encouraged--that you collaborate with classmates with the written portions of the Problem Sets. You must also credit their help by listing their names on the pages that you submit to me in class. Problems that you submit through the Grade Grinder are for you to complete on your own; do not collaborate with others on the exercises you submit electronically. Failure to cite classmates who collaborate with you on the written work, and failure to complete the electronic portions of the homework on your own, are violations of the Honor Code.

Disability

If you have specific disabilities that require accommodations, please let me know at the beginning of the semester. You will also need to contact Ms. Jane Boomer, coordinator for Services for Students with Disabilities, at Peters G-38A, x58464.