For instance: you do not have to be in class at a specific time (but you still should set aside definite hours for your work, allowing an average six hours a week); I cannot answer questions in class (but I'm there on email, and you have my complete attention); you are able to pace yourself, slowing down when you need to or speeding up as you can (but you still should note our schedule for moving through the couse so that you do not come to the last few weeks way behind). I am also using the Internet Classroom Assistant at http://www.nicenet.org (key: 244549PZ2) as a way of communicating with everyone. Please read more about how to use the ICA.
Certain files useful for working with PLN (the
teaching language used for the first half of the semester) are available
at the YahooGroups site "SymbolicLogic" and you are encouraged to join
this site in order to make use of these files. I may also occasionally
use this site to send messages to everyone.
The objectives for the course (what you should be able to do when we're through):
1. Being able to express statements that can be clearly described
as truth functional (meaning that whether they are true depends entirely
on their parts) through a set of symbols that include letters of the alphabet
and other signs used specifically to identify logical relationships.
2. Being able to determine through one or another technique the
truth value of individual statements and the validity of argument forms
using these statements.
3. Being able to develop and work with a particular set of rules
to show the validity of a given inference.
The text:
Although these web pages can stand alone, I do recommend that you use an additional text. One that is very good and also very inexpensive is the second edition of Logic in the Schaum College Outline Series. It can be purchased at the Mission College bookstore or purchased online at a discount through vendors such as Amazon.com.
Grading:
I have divided the course into fifteen lessons. There is a mandatory assignment and due date for each lesson. These may change at any time, so it is important to update your pages. It is not a good idea to print them out, both because you lose certain intended effects and because these pages do change.
There will be both a midterm and a final, and
each counts for 20 points. Each assignment counts for 4 points.
Assignments not done satisfactorily will be returned for correction.
Students in the area of Mission College are to take the midterm and the
final in person, but students out of the area may arrange for an online
exam,
Grades: A=90, B=80, C=70, D=60.
revised February 12
| Lesson 1 -- due February 15 | Lesson 2 -- due February 22 | Lesson 3 -- due March 1 |
| Lesson 4 -- due March 8 | Lesson 5 -- due March 15 | Lesson 6 -- due March 22 |
| Lesson 7 -- due March 29 | Lesson 8 -- due April 5
midterm exam: April7-12 |
Lesson 9 -- due April 19 |
| Lesson 10 -- due April 26 | Lesson 11 -- due May 3 | Lesson 12 -- due May 10 |
| Lesson 13 -- due May 17 | Lesson 14 -- due May 24 | Lesson 15 -- due May 31
final exam: June1-6 |
You definitely must be in contact with me early
on. Submit your email address to me at dmcf34@yahoo.com
One of the first things we do is make sure
you are enrolled in the Nicenet Internet Classroom Assistant for this course
(http://www. nicenet.org - key = 244549PZ2 ) and this is how I send messages
to everyone as we move through the course. Your progress through
the course will be noted on a special web
page for this course.