p;   ELEMENTARY LOGIC AND SEMANTICS

                                                                            PL 190

INSTRUCTOR : David Fox

OFFICE : Room 221 Humanities

PHONE : 240-567-7733 email: david.fox@montgomerycollege.edu

TEXT: INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC 13th EDITION by Irving M. Copi.

DESCRIPTION: An introductory study of logic and language, intended to increase the ability to use language with precision and to reason correctly. Topics treated include the logic of science and the principles of induction and deduction. This course is especially valuable for students considering law school, mathematics, computer science and linguistics.

                                                            TENTATIVE TOPICS

I. Language

    A. Introduction (1.1 thru 1.5)

    B. Definitions (3.1 thru 3.6)

II. Deduction

    A. Categorical Propositions (5.1 thru 5.5)

    B. Categorical Syllogisms (6.1 thru 6.5)

    C. Arguments in Ordinary Language (7.5 thru 7.8)

    D. Informal Fallacies (4.1 thru 4.6)

III. Induction

    A. Analogy and Probable Inference (11.1 thru 11.4)

    B. Causal Connections (12.1 thru 12.4)

    C. Science and Hypothesis (13.1 thru 13.4)

    D. Probability (14.1 thru 14.3)

IV. Modern Logic

    A. Symbolic Logic (8.1 thru 8.10)

    B. Method of Deduction (9.1 thru 9.12)

    C. Quantification Theory (10.1 thru 10.7)

GRADING :

     Written assignments, class participation 35 points

     Examinations 70 points

Grades will be awarded as follows:

90 - 105 points A

80 - 89 points B

70 - 79 points C

60 - 69 points D

0 - 59 points F