ADVANCED LOGIC
PHIL 422, Sec. 001: MW 2:30pm-3:45pm in WRI-C305
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Spring 2009
Professor: James Woodbridge
email address:
Course Webpage: http://faculty.unlv.edu/jwood/unlv/Phil422S09.htm
Office Hours: T 12pm-1:30pm, W 4pm-5pm, and by appointment
Office: CDC 426
Office Phone: 895-4051
Dept. Phone: 895-3433
This is a course on basic metalogic (with a bit on computability theory if we have the time). Metalogic is the study of facts about and properties of formal systems as a whole (as opposed to learning to use a particular logic system, e.g., to symbolize arguments and construct proofs). Topics in this area will include the semantic/syntactic distinction, Truth-Functional Completeness, Models and Interpretations, and the Soundness, Completeness, Compactness, and Undecidability of First-Order Logic. Through the study of these topics we will consider the scope and limits of formal theorizing. Computability theory investigates what it is for a function to be computable, that is, when there is a mechanical procedure or algorithm for solving a particular mathematical problem. Specific elements of this study include such topics as the relation between sets and functions; enumerable, denumerable, and non-denumerable sets; diagonalization; Turing Computability, Uncomputability, and the Halting Problem. The study of computability also reveals some of the limits of formal theorizing.
The book for the course is available at The UNLV Bookstore.
There will be additional on-line readings from Paul Teller's A Modern Formal Logic Primer that will be posted on the course Webpage.
III. CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SCHEME
Requirements
.............................................Percent of Final Grade
Participation................................................................10%
Homework...................................................................15%
First Test......................................................................20%
Second Test..................................................................25%
Final Exam...................................................................30%
Participation—This requirement is designed to take into account contributions during class (e.g., asking questions, suggesting moves for problems or proofs done in class, etc.) and improvement throughout the term. To do well on this requirement it is vital that you keep up with the reading assignments.
Homework—This requirement covers completion of and performance on the homework assignments. The homework provides practice with the techniques presented in class, so it is crucial that you keep up with the assignments. There will be an assignment due every week. No late assignments accepted.
The First Test—There will be a timed, in-class test in mid February. The test questions will consist of problems like those on the homework assignments and in the readings, and the proofs done in class.
The Second Test—There will be a second timed, in-class test in early April. Again, the test questions will consist of problems like those on the homework assignments and proofs done in class.
The Final Exam—There will be a timed, in-class final exam given during our scheduled exam time. The final will essentially be cumulative, but it will emphasize the material since the Second Test. The exam questions will include problems similar to the homework and classroom proofs, as well as some pertaining to concepts.
Note: All requirements must be satisfactorily completed in order to pass the course.The class will consist mostly of lectures, demonstrations of problem-solving techniques, and sample exercises. However, I want to encourage student participation throughout the class--both in the form of questions and suggestions about how to approach problems we are considering. Class meetings will typically consist of two different (not necessarily equal) parts: one in which I will lecture on the material you have read about for the day and work some sample problems, and one in which I will answer questions about problems from homework assignments that students would like to go over.