Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Historical & Philosophical Inq
This course in formal logic is intended as an introduction to the formal aspects of modern logic for students of philosophy, mathematics or computer science, or indeed anyone interested in logic. We assume that students have no previous background in logic. It begins with some discussion as to what logic is and what its role in philosophy might be. It will then move on to more formal aspects. Beginning with the notion of a formal language into which sentences and arguments are to be translated, we shall develop the syntax and semantics for a language of sentences or propositions in classical propositional logic. Arguments can then be formalized and discussed with reference to the central notion of validity. The primitive language of classical propositional logic is then extended to accommodate the theory of quantifiers, which is formalisable in classical predicate logic, and the notion of validity is generalized to this extended language.
It begins with some discussion as to what logic is and what its role in philosophy might be. It will then move on to more formal aspects. Beginning with the notion of a formal language into which sentences and arguments are to be translated, we shall develop the syntax and semantics for a language of sentences or propositions — classical propositional logic. Arguments can then be formalized and discussed with reference to the central notion of validity. The primitive language of classical propositional logic is then extended to accommodate the theory of quantifiers, which is formalisable in classical predicate logic, and the notion of validity is generalized to this extended language. Observe that all the required readings will be made available on blackboard.
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Course requirements
Assumed background
We assume that students have no previous background in logic or, indeed, any other formal background.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PHIL1020, PHIL7102
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Tutor
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course provides an introduction to the basic tools of formal logic as used in Philosophy, Computer Science, Psychology, Linguistics and Mathematics. By introducing you to formal logic you will not only deepen your knowledge of the area but also, through improved analytic skills, further develop critical judgement, independence and creativity of thought, and effective communication - especially clarity of expression.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
understand and employ elementary concepts of modern logic.
LO2.
analyse, describe and communicate flaws in arguments and reasoning practices.
LO3.
apply abstract logical approaches to a variety of problems in diverse areas of research.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Assignment 1 | 20% |
9/09/2024 2:00 pm
Due on Monday the 9th of September at 14:00. |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Assignment 2 | 30% |
14/10/2024 2:00 pm
Due on Monday the 13th of October at 14:00. |
| Examination | Final Take Home Exam | 50% |
11/11/2024 2:00 pm
Due on Monday the 11th of November at 14:00. |
Assessment details
Assignment 1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
9/09/2024 2:00 pm
Due on Monday the 9th of September at 14:00.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Assignment/problems on the material from weeks 1-7.
Submission guidelines
Assignment to be submitted via Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment 2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
14/10/2024 2:00 pm
Due on Monday the 13th of October at 14:00.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Assignment/problems on the material in weeks 8-12.
Submission guidelines
Assignment to be submitted via Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Take Home Exam
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
11/11/2024 2:00 pm
Due on Monday the 11th of November at 14:00.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The exam will cover material from weeks 1 to 12.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10080 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Exam to be submitted via Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 1, Fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course: Grade 1, Low Fail, is generally awarded in cases where some assessment has been submitted, but it is of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity. In work submitted, however, there is no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts of the field of study or basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 2, Fail: Demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and give little attention to the conventions of the discipline: Grade 2, Fail, is generally awarded to work that exhibits deficiencies in understanding and applying the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study, and as such, does not satisfy the basic requirements of the course. Often, one or more major items of assessment will not have been completed. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grade 3,Demonstrates superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline: Grade 3, Marginal Fail, is generally awarded if a student has submitted work that attempts to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the course, but is only able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. Students will usually have attempted all major pieces of assessment and show that they have an identifiable, emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 4, Pass: Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; develops routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justification; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline: Grade 4, Pass, is generally awarded where all major items of assessment have been submitted. An adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study should be demonstrated and a functional skill level achieved. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 5, Credit: Demonstrates substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study and ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification; communicates information and ideas clearly and fluently in terms of the conventions of the discipline: Grade 5, Credit, is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and a substantial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 6, As for 5, with frequent evidence of originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and in creating solutions; uses a level, style and means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience: Grade 6, Distinction, is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and substantial knowledge of the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 7, High Distinction: As for 6, with consistent evidence of substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critically evaluates problems, their solutions and implications: Grade 7, High Distinction, is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and there is evidence that the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been mastered. |
Additional course grading information
Your formal logic exercises will be marked in accordance with a set of model answers. Solutions are available on request.
Marks will be awarded for correct answers in accordance with the percentage weighting shown for each question.
To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your exercises should demonstrate a exceptional ability to solve problems of logic, and explain your reasoning.
To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%) your exercises should demonstrate an advanced ability to solve problems of logic, and explain your reasoning.
To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%) your exercises should demonstrate a proficient ability to solve problems of logic, and explain your reasoning.
To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%) your exercises should demonstrate a basic ability to solve problems of logic, and explain your reasoning.
To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%) your exercises will have demonstrated that you are only able to solve problems of logic, and explain your reasoning, at a superficial level. However, they do demonstrate your emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills.
To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%) your exercises will have demonstrated that you have a deficient or flawed ability to solve problems of logic, and struggle to explain your reasoning.
To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%) your exercises will have demonstrated that you have a clearly deficient ability or are unable to solve problems of logic, or to explain your reasoning.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Failure to submit all major assessment items (those worth 15% and above) will result in a maximum grade of 2 (Fail).
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration:‘I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment’.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ All students must ensure that they receive their Turnitin receipt on ﾠevery submissionﾠ of assessment items. YOU MUST CHECK THAT THE RECEIPT CONFIRMS THAT SUBMISSION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing.
Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after ten calendar days, will receive zero.ﾠ
In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible so that they can confirm the outage with ITS.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are submitting assessment items on a device that is capable of the task, and that appropriate internet bandwidth and speed is available.ﾠ
If you cannot be sure that your device or internet will enable you to complete or submit an assessment task, you must come onto campus and use one of the University Computers in the Library or Computer Labs.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Plagiarism, and asking or paying someone else to do your work is cheating and constitutes academic misconduct.
ﾷ All assessment tasks evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Feedback against the assessment criteria in the form of comments on your script will be provided through Turnitin or on your script directly.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ For information on assessment remarks see:ﾠhttps://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The Logic Daemon: ﾠthis is an online resource to practice building countermodels, natural deduction, your understanding of the notions of soundness andﾠvalidity, and construction of well-formed formulas.
For the Philosophy Subject Guide, please see https://guides.library.uq.edu.au/philosophy.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 Arguments and Propositions Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Small-group tutorial covering exercises set from course text. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 2 |
Lecture |
Lecture 2 Syntax: connectives and translation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 3 |
Lecture |
Lecture 3 Semantics: truth tables Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 4 |
Lecture |
Lecture 4 Logical form, Translation & Adequacy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 5 |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 Trees Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 6 |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 Natural Deduction Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 7 |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 Natural Deduction Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 8 |
Lecture |
Lecture 8 Natural Deduction Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 9 |
Lecture |
Lecture 9 Monadic predicate logic: syntax Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 10 |
Lecture |
Lecture 10 Monadic predicate logic: semantics Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 11 |
Lecture |
Lecture 11 Monadic predicate logic: trees Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 12 |
Lecture |
Lecture 12 General predicate logic Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture 13 Course recap and exam preparation. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.