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 materials are available on Wattle, including the lecture recordings.

Recommended Resources

Extensive course notes and other resources are provided on Wattle; additional recommended readings will be mentioned during lectures.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments and grading results for assessment tasks
• 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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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: history, fundamental concepts	No assessments this week
2	Propositional logic: sequents, semantics, inference	No assessments this week
3	Propositional logic: natural deduction calculus	No assessments this week
4	Propositional logic: semantic tableaux	No assessments this week
5	First-order logic: introduction and natural deduction	No assessments this week
6	First-order logic: semantic tableaux	assignments 1 and 2 released
7	Semantics of first order logic; soundness and completeness	No assessments this week
8	Sequent calculus; logic of identity	No assessments this week
9	Restricted quantifiers; paradoxes of implication and relevance logic	No assessments this week
10	Vagueness, Sorites-type paradoxes and fuzzy logic	assignment 3 released
11	Constructivity and excluded middle; intuitionism and its logic	No assessments this week
12	Conclusions and reflections on logic	No assessments this week

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1	15 %	2,3
Assignment 2	15 %	1
Assignment 3	20 %	2,3,4
Final assessment	50 %	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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 participate in the lectures and tutorials actively.

Assessment Task 1

Assignment 1

Exercises related to foundations of logic and formal systems (especially, natural deduction)

Assessment Task 2

Assignment 2

Exercises on formalisations of natural language and the Logic for Fun system

Assessment Task 3

Assignment 3

Essay on logical paradoxes and non-classical logical systems

Assessment Task 4

Final assessment

Problems regarding all aspects of the course content

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Submissions must be made online. Scans are not allowed so we can check for plagiarism. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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