Office Location / Hours: 242 Sparks Building: By
appointment and Friday 11:15-12.
Instructors and TA Contact Information
Name
Role
Contact Information
David W. Agler
Instructor
Nicole George
Learning Assistant
Sabrina Bailon
Learning Assistant
Course Description
This is an introductory course in symbolic logic. Logic is a science
of the analysis of good and bad arguments. Symbolic logic is a
particular branch of logic that studies good arguments using a formal or
artificial language. This course will articulate two different formal
languages: propositional logic and predicate logic. In both languages,
we will examine how these artificial languages relate to English (a
natural language), different ways in which formal languages can be used
to determine whether arguments are valid (or invalid), and how to reason
using these languages.
Course Objectives
Objective 1, Learn Two Symbolic Languages: Students will learn the
symbols, syntax, and semantics of two different symbolic languages
(propositional & predicate logic) and how these languages relate to
English (chs. 1, 2, 6).
Objective 2, Learn Key Analytical Skills & Vocabulary: Students
will learn how to use the symbolic languages to determine fundamental
features of language and how to talk about these features using
analytical vocabulary (chs. 1,3,4,7).
Objective 3, Learn How to Formally Test Arguments: Students will
learn how to use various mechanical tests (known as “decision
procedures”) to (i) test propositions, sets of propositions, and
arguments for various properties, e.g., validity and to (ii) develop
counter-models for valid arguments (chs. 3,4,6,7).
Objective 4, Learn How to Solve a Proof: Students will learn how to
formally solve proofs in two different languages. That is, they will
learn a set of inference, derivation, or “proof” rules and use these
rules to show that a conclusion follows from a set of premises
(chs.5,8).
Objective 5, Learn to Think Like a Logician: Students will
articulate how certain methods and procedures used in logic relate to
various logical properties that belong to everyday arguments and
arguments in symbolic languages (chs. 4,6,7).
Objective 6, Respectful Dialogue: Students will engage in respectful
conversation with classmates as well as collaborate with their peers to
better learn logic.
Course Materials
REQUIRED: Agler, David W. 2025. Symbolic Logic: Syntax,
Semantics, and Proof Handouts. This book will be provided in two
formats: (1) a paperback copy and (2) an electronic copy. The cost is
covered by the course fee associated with this course.
My Logic
Homepage. This page includes logic handouts, practice exams, and
links to specific videos.
Introduction to Logic -
2022. This is a link to an 11-hour video that covers the major
topics of symbolic logic. Use this video to review and catch up on
topics if you miss class.
Course Assignments
Evaluation for this course is determined as follows:
Course Assignment, Numbers, and Percentages
Assignment
Number
Percentage
Homework
4
18
Quizzes
4
8
Exams
4
72
Attendance
N
2
Attendance & Late Policy
Attendance is positively correlated with passing this course. By
attending class, you not only have the opportunity to learn the material
and ask questions, but you also (1) get access to the daily extra-credit assignments and (2) reduce your
workload with respect to homework as some of the
homework exercises are completed in class. Attendance is taken via a QR
code displayed in class (or via a sign-in sheet).
Excused Absence: To be excused from class, you must (1) email me
prior to the start of class begins and (2) provide
either (a) official documentation that specifically confirms
you are unable to attend that particular class session or (b) a university
excused class absence form. If it is physically impossible for you
to email me before class begins (e.g., coma, incarceration), you must
notify your college, campus contact, or Student Care &
Advocacy as soon as is reasonable.
Late Policy: If you are more than ten minutes late, you will be
marked as “late”, receiving 80% of the 100% credit for the day.
Homework
Homework for a unit is due immediately before you take the exam for
that unit. Full credit will be awarded provided you put complete (but
not necessarily correctly solve) each problem (this involves showing any
relevant work). Homework is graded out of 10 points.
Deductions:
1pt is deducted for each Exercise Set that is missing.
1pt is deducted if papers not stapled or clipped.
1pt is deducted if exercise sets are not clearly labeled, e.g., Ex
3.35.
Quizzes
Quizzes are in CANVAS.
Quizzes are open-book and open-note. Quizzes consist mainly of
multiple-choice and truth-false questions. These are low-cost
assignments designed to prepare you for the exam.
Classroom Recording
No recording of classroom lectures is permitted without either (1)
expressed written permission of the instructor or (2) as permitted by
the Campus Disability Coordinator (SDR). See Academic
Integrity
Exams
Exams take place in class. Each exam covers a single unit. Practice
exams are available on the logic page of my
website.
Extra Credit
There is a significant amount of extra credit available in this
course. Extra-credit assignments come in the form of logic puzzles,
questions about logic that go beyond the scope of the course,
applications of logic, and logic-related activities. The most important
policies surrounding extra-credit are as follows:
Since extra-credit is supplemental, there is no late (or
excused) work.
All extra-credit assignments are assigned in class and you must turn
them during class to receive credit.
All grading for extra-credit assignments is not subject to
review.
Part 2. Policies
Email Correspondence
Email me with questions you have! However, keep in mind best email
practices when emailing. This ensures your email does not wind up in a
junk folder and that I can respond to you quickly with the answer that
you want. It is helpful to include helpful specifics, e.g., your name,
the class you are in, the problem and page number of the problem,
etc.
Late Work
If you cannot attend an exam or complete an assignment, it is your
responsibility to email me before class begins (the due date).
If you do not, your work will be considered late and thus subject to a
penalty of a letter grade for each day I do not hear from you. In rare
cases, however, it is impossible to contact me before class begins,
e.g., emergencies. In these cases, it will be necessary for you to
produce documentation that clearly indicates that (i) you could not
attend the exam and (ii) it would have been unreasonable (or impossible)
for you to contact me to notify me of your absence.
Grading Scale, Rounding,
Curving
A: 93-100
A-: 90–92
B+: 87–89
B: 83–86
B-: 80–82
C+: 77-79
C: 70-76
D: 60-69
F: 0-59
Grades are rounded as follows: xx.5 rounds up, while xx.4 rounds to
xx (Example: 88.50 rounds to 89.0 while 88.49 rounds to 88). See University
Policy 47-00. Individual assignments are not curved. However, in the
case that the average grade for students who have fully completed the
course is below 75%, a curve will be instated so that the average grade
of students who completed the course is 75%.
Grade Appeals
Feel free to email if you believe there is an error with your grade.
You have a maximum of two weeks to appeal any grade from the date it is
entered into CANVAS. Otherwise, the grade for that assignment
(attendance) is considered final.
University Policies
Penn State University has several university policies concerning
disability, academic misconduct, counseling and psychological
services,and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Below you will find links
to these statements and further resources. An electronic version of this
syllabus is available in CANVAS.