Overview
Philosophy 254: Symbolic Logic is an introduction to reasoning in formal symbolic logic. The course covers the syntax and semantics of classical sentential and predicate logic, translation of English sentences into symbolic form, and procedures for evaluating sentences and arguments, principally natural deduction.
Outline
This course is divided into ten units:
- Unit 1: Introduction to Deductive Logic
- Unit 2: The Language SL
- Unit 3: Truth Tables
- Unit 4: The System SD
- Unit 5: Using SD for Fun and Profit
- Unit 6: Further Uses of SD
- Unit 7: SD+
- Unit 8: PL
- Unit 9: Informal Semantics for PL
- Unit 10: PD and PD+
Learning outcomes
Philosophy 254: Symbolic Logic is an introductory course in the formal techniques of argument analysis and evaluation. When students have completed PHIL 254, they should be able to
- symbolize English sentences and arguments using symbolic notation.
- use truth tables to evaluate for formal logical properties such as entailment and consistency.
- construct derivations to show that arguments in sentential and predicate logic are valid.
- construct interpretations for predicate logic to demonstrate properties such as consistency and invalidity.
Evaluation
The final mark in PHIL 254 is based on five equally weighted assignments, a video presentation of a derivation, and a final assessment. To receive credit for this course, students must complete every assignment, the video presentation of a derivation, and the final assessment, receiving an average grade of D (50 percent) on this work. All assignments are graded out of 100 percent.
| Activity | Weight | Complete by |
| Assignment 1 | 10% | After Unit 3 |
| Derivation Presentation | 15% | After Unit 5 |
| Assignment 2 | 10% | After Unit 6 |
| Assignment 3 | 10% | After Unit 7 |
| Assignment 4 | 10% | After Unit 9 |
| Assignment 5 | 10% | After Unit 10 |
| Final Assessment | 35% | After completion of all course units, assignments, and the derivation presentation |
| Total | 100% | |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Bergmann, Merrie, James Moor, and Jack Nelson. The Logic Book. 6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2014.
Other Materials
All other materials are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PHIL 254 challenge registration, a student must achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Written Assignment | 50% |
| Final Assessment | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form