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Unit outline_

PHIL1012: Introductory Logic

Intensive June - July, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

An introduction to modern logic: the investigation of the laws of truth. One essential aspect of good reasoning or argumentation is that it is valid: it cannot lead from true premises to a false conclusion. In this unit we learn how to identify and construct valid arguments, using techniques such as truth tables, models and truth trees. Apart from being a great aid to clear thinking about any subject, knowledge of logic is essential for understanding many areas not only of contemporary philosophy, but also linguistics, mathematics and computing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ryan Cox, ryan.cox@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ryan Cox, ryan.cox@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 28 June 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
2000w equiv. A formal supervised final exam.
40% July exam weeks 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Problem Sets
Small take-home problem sets.
35% Ongoing 7 x 225w equiv.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Problem Set (Early Feedback Task)
Problem set. #earlyfeedbacktask
5% Week 01
Due date: 20 Jun 2024 at 23:59
1 x 225w equiv.
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Small test Small In-Class Test
A small in-class test at the end of the second week of the unit.
20% Week 02 40 mins, 700w equiv.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The Problem Sets will constitute 40% of your final mark for the unit. Each problem set individually is worth 5%.
The Assignments (together) will constitute 60% of your final mark for the unit. Each assignment individually is worth 30%.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is Logic? Connectives and Logical Form Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The Formal Language PL. Issues in Translation: Assertability and Implicature. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The Semantics of PL. Uses of Truth Tables . Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Validity and Logical Form. Functional Completeness. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Issues in Translation: Conjunction.Trees for PL. Uses of PL trees. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Issues in Translation: Conditional. The Formal Language MPL. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Syntax of MPL. The Semantics of MPL (Part 1). Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The Semantics of MPL (Part 2). Trees for MPL. Uses of Trees for MPL. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 The Formal Language GPL. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Trees for GPLI. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The Semantics of GPL and Trees for GPL. The Formal Language GPLI. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Review and exam revision. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Material from previous lectures. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Nicholas J.J. Smith. Logic: The Laws of Truth. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2012.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate understanding of the formal languages of propositional and predicate logic, and ability to translate propositions of English into those formal languages
  • LO2. demonstrate understanding of the semantics of classical propositional logic in terms of truth tables
  • LO3. demonstrate understanding of the semantics of classical predicate logic in terms of models
  • LO4. demonstrate understanding of, and ability to construct, tree proofs for classical propositional and predicate logic
  • LO5. improvement in skills of logical analysis and reasoning

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The content and design of this unit are reviewed each time it is taught, in light of student evaluations, peer review and informal feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions, please let us know at any time during the semester.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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