An introductory course in formal logic, dealing with propositional and predicate logic. Techniques of formal deduction and tests for the validity of arguments will be studied. Basic semantic concepts will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Express reasoning problems using first order logical notation.
2. Construct natural deduction proofs in first order logic and translate between calculi.
3. Explain the relationship between rules of deduction and the semantics of logic.
4. Critically assess and compare philosophical views on issues arising from elementary logic.

Required Resources

There is no set textbook for this course, but extensive course notes and other resources are provided online. All material is is available on Wattle, including the recordings of the online-live lecture.

Recommended Resources

There is no set textbook for this course, but extensive course notes and other resources are provided online. 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments for the homework (the results of which do not go into the final mark)
• Grading of assignments, with written comments
• Live-feedback in the tutorials, where all questions can be asked and exercises are done live
• Automated feedback on Logic for Fun tasks, generated by the software on the site

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Appeals Procedure:

If you believe you have received an inappropriate or incorrect result, there are steps you can take to have that result reviewed. This must be done within 30 working days of the formal notification of results. Your first point of contact should be your tutor or the course convenor.

Academic honesty and plagiarism

Academic misconduct can seriously jeopardize your academic career, your future, and, if you are an international student, your ability to stay in Australia to study. It is the responsibility of each individual student to ensure that:

• they are familiar with the expectations for academic honesty, both in general and in the specific context of particular disciplines or courses
• work submitted for assessment is genuine and original
• appropriate acknowledgement and citation is given to the work of others
• they do not knowingly assist other students in academically dishonest practice.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to logic: validity of arguments, formulae	No assessments this week
2	Propositional logic: sequents, semantics, natural deduction rules for conjunction, implication, theorems	No assessments this week
3	Propositional logic: natural deduction rules for disjunction and negation	No assessments this week
4	Propositional logic: Semantic tableaux	No assessments this week
5	First-Order Predicate Logic: introduction and natural deduction	assignment 1 released (Tuesday, 22. March)
6	First-Order Predicate Logic: semantic tableaux	assignment 2 released (Tuesday, 29. March)
7	Semantics of first order logic; soundness and completeness	No assessments this week
8	Sequent calculus; sequent calculus (cont'd)	No assessments this week
9	Logic of identity; restricted quantifiers, free logic	No assessments this week
10	Vagueness and sorites paradox; fuzzy logic	assignment 3 released (Tuesday, 10. May)
11	Constructivity and excluded middle; intuitionism	No assessments this week
12	Conclusions and reflections on logic	No assessments this week

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1	15 %	10/04/2022	25/04/2022	2,3
Assignment 2	15 %	17/04/2022	02/05/2022	1
Assignment 3	15 %	29/05/2022	08/06/2022	4
Final examination	55 %	*	*	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation will not be judged, but we highly encourage to actively participate in the tutorials.

Examination(s)

There is a single final exam.

Assessment Task 1

Assignment 1

Exercises related to foundations of logic and formal proofs, especially using natural deduction.

Assessment Task 2

Assignment 2

Formalisation of one or more problems from and using the Logic for Fun website. Submission is online; Turnitin is not relevant to this task.

Assessment Task 3

Assignment 3

Essay on a topic in philosophical logic.

Assessment Task 4

Final examination

Examination (3 hours, online)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

Submission of the Logic for Fun items is internal to that website. For the essay (assignment 3) you will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin. Scans are not allowed so we can check for plagiarism.

Hardcopy Submission

There are no assignments in this course for which hard copy submission is appropriate.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. Any assignment submitted late without a medical certificate or similarly good reason and evidence, or prior permission, will be given a mark of zero.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students