Professor Judy Pelham
pelham@yorku.ca
Office Location:  S440 Ross Building
Phone Number:  (416) 736-2100 Ext. 44721
Office Hours:

Office hours will be held in person, on Wednesdays or Mondays. 

This course is a continuation of Phil 2100.  Students who enjoyed and did well in Introduction to Logic are encouraged to take this course. The course teaches predicate logic and predicate logic with identity. We also consider logic in relation to natural language and discuss some topics that relate philosophy of language and linguistics.  We use many of the same methods as in Phil 2100, but do some philosophy at the same time.

The course begins by reviewing basic translations in predicate logic, and takes a look at what is sometimes known as ‘baby’ set theory. We then work on predicate logic through to predicate logic with identity. In the final third of the course we will discuss predicate logic in relation to natural language, including explaining some basic meta-theoretical results, and reflecting on Montague’s project of translating English syntax into logic. We will also look at how Russell and Frege wanted to interpret English expressions involving “the” differently.  What is the role of logic in philosophy?

Technical requirements for taking the course: This course will be conducted in person on the Keele campus. There are no particular technical requirements at all.  Paper, pencils, and pens, as well as your presence are what is required.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.]

Times and locations: Wednesdays 2:30 -5:30 pm in person on Keele campus.

Course kit available via the York University Bookstore.  It contains chapters from The Logic Book, 2^nd ed, published by McGraw-Hill.

Mid term test: 20%

Final Exam: 50%

Homework/assignments: 4 @ 7% each: 28%

Attendance: 2%

This course meets in person for three hours each week. The meeting time is divided up between lecture, question demonstration, homework review, and discussion. There are weekly homework assignments which, as in Phil 2100, are the foundation of the course.

1. To assess the validity of English arguments containing the logical words “all,” and “some” as deductively valid or invalid.
2.  To identify the basic elements of English sentences, subject and predicate, modifiers, and connectives, as part of understanding the logical form English sentences.
3. To gain a full understanding of predicate logic in terms of its model semantics and its relationship to English quantifier phrases.
4. To gain the ability to construct natural language derivations involving predicate and sentential logic.

Course policies

[Insert your course policies on grading, assignment submission, tests and makeup tests, lateness penalties, etc. For language on these policies, please review the basic course outline provided by the Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee.

If you will be including audio-visual recordings of your live sessions on Moodle, you may wish to include a course policy on how those recordings should be used by students. Please review the guidelines for the taking and use of photographs, video and audio recordings by York employees. Please note in your policy that 1) the recordings should be used for educational purposes only and as a means for enhancing accessibility; 2) students do not have permission to duplicate, copy and/or distribute the recordings outside of the class (these acts can violate not only copyright laws but also FIPPA); and 3) all recordings will be destroyed after the end of classes.

For some common language about academic integrity, and the online tools used to promote it, please see the text in blue font below. Please note that students should be able to opt out of Turnitin and remote proctoring, if they so choose. For the few students who opt out, they will need to inform you. For these students, please make alternative arrangements for assignment submission and/or assessment. Students who opt out should not be penalized in any way.]