Instructor: Paul Klumpe Class Time: TTH 9:30-10:50;12:45-2:05

Philosophy 9 Location: HSS 153

Spring 2025 Email: klumpe_paul@smc.edu

Symbolic Logic
Philosophy 9

Course Description:

While philosophy is a broad discipline concerned with a wide variety of topics, this course will
restrict its focus to examining formal techniques for evaluating deductive arguments. These
techniques are useful in a variety of domains where sound reasoning is required and have
important applications in fields such as philosophy, computer science, mathematics, and law. Our
primary focus will be on the notion of logical consequence. What does it mean to say that a
conclusion follows from (i.e. is a logical consequence of) a set of premises and how can we
determine whether a particular conclusion follows from a given set of premises?

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate academic responsibility and integrity

• Demonstrate through oral and/or written work knowledge of the course content: symbolic
notation and translations, and decision procedures for determining validity and invalidity of
arguments in sentential logic and predicate logic.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the research, analytical, and communication skills necessary to
present, orally and/or in writing, compelling and original arguments that identify and master
(e.g. proofs, truth-tables, validity and soundness, etc.) the formal rules of sentential through
first-order predicate logic to assess logical arguments.

Online Text:

We will be using Paul Teller’s A Modern Logic Primer. You do not need to purchase this book as
it is available online here: https://tellerprimer.ucdavis.edu/pdf. You can also find the link to the
text on Canvas.

Office Hours:

When and Where: Wednesdays from 9-10am and TTH from 2:20-3:20 in HSS 358

Why: To talk about philosophy, or anything else that’s on your mind. That said, if you feel
confused about any of the course material or are worried about your grade, you should come see
me ASAP. Do not let confusion fester and ultimately undermine your efforts! Also, if you have
ideas about how I might improve the class, I’m all ears. Feel free to bring coffee or tea when
you come.
What if I Cannot Make Your Scheduled Office Hours? You can make an appointment to come
see me at an alternative time that works for both of us.

Course Expectations and Responsibilities

Assignment Break Down:

The final grade will be awarded according to the following percentage system:

Homework Assignments 20%

Quizzes 15%
In-Class Excercises 15%
Mid-Term 25%
Final 25%

• Homework Assignments: There will be 8 homework assignments throughout the

semester. These will be problem-sets and will be graded based on how many questions
you answer correctly. On the days that they are due, we will dedicate class time to
discuss any problems causing you difficulty. The expectation is that you will complete
the assignment before class starts, ask questions during class time, revise your answers,
and then submit your answers later that day on Canvas by 5pm. I will drop your lowest
homework assignment. Late assignments will be accepted for up to one week but will be
docked 1 point for each day that they are late. You are free to work on homework
assignments in groups, but everyone must submit their own work. You must use the
symbols and methods that I teach in class. If you submit work using different symbols or
different methods, you will receive a 0 on the assignment.

• Quizzes: There will be six quizzes throughout the semester. These will be posted on
certain Fridays at 10am and will be due the following Sunday by 11:59pm. You will have
to complete the tests on a separate piece of paper, take photos of your work and upload
the files to Canvas. These will be problem sets and will be graded based on how many
questions you answer correctly. You are free to work on quizzes in groups, but everyone
must submit their own work. Again, you must use the symbols and methods that I teach
in class. If you submit work using different symbols or different methods, you will
receive a 0 on the quiz.

• In-Class Participation: Virtually every class session will include in-class exercises,
which means attendance is mandatory. If you are sick, though, you should not come to
class. Instead, you should attend the first available Zoom office hour to review the
 material you missed and then email me the day’s in-class exercises. I will drop your two
lowest in-class assignments.

• Mid-Term and Final: These are cumulative exams and will be offered in class. Again,
you must use the symbols and methods that I teach in class. If you submit work using
different symbols or different methods, you will receive a 0 on the exam.

Grade Distribution:

I will use the following table when assigning your final grade

Letter Grade Percentage Rage

A 89.5-100

B 79.5-89.4

C 69.5-79.4

D 59.5-69.4

F 0-59.4%

• Rounding Policies: I will not round grades up or down. An 89.4 will count as a B and an
89.5 will count as an A, per the above table.

• Extra Credit Policy: There is no extra credit available in this class.

Student Resources

Tutoring for Philosophy 9

Tutoring for this class is available in SMC’s Writing and Humanities Tutoring Center in Dexter
Hall 312. Students should make appointments with either Dexter Mack or Mason Wein. Hours
TBD. Walk-ins are accepted but it s better to make an appointment, which you can do here:
https://www.smc.edu/student-support/academic-support/tutoring-centers/writing-humanities/

Other Student Services

Students can find information about various services SMC offers at the Direct Connect website
here: https://www.smc.edu/student-support/direct-connect/. The link to Direct Connect can also
be found on Canvas.

The Direct Connect site includes links to

• Basics Needs Services (e.g. food, housing, transportation)
• The Center for Wellness and Wellbeing (i.e. Access to Professional Counselors)
• Health Services
• Identity, Cultural Pride and Empowerment Communities (e.g. Black Collegians, the Latino
Center/Adelante, Veterans Success Center, Students with Disabilities)
• Financial Aid

Counseling

• To succeed at SMC, it is highly recommended to meet with a counselor to develop a detailed

Educational Plan. If you have not done so already, you can book an appointment with a
counselor here: https://www.smc.edu/student-support/academic-support/counseling/. I would
recommend doing so later in the semester so that you avoid crowds and get more time with the
counselor.

• In our efforts to help first year students thrive and succeed academically, personally and
socially, SMC has established a robust support system in the form of our Student Success
Teams. Comprised of caring counselors, dedicated instructors supportive staff, and friendly
peer navigators, these teams are dedicated to providing first year students with personal and
prolonged guidance and support. You can make an appointment to learn more about and enroll
in the program here: https://www.smc.edu/student-support/student-success-teams/
•
Printing Services

Currently, printing is free for SMC students at the following locations:

• Library (bottom floor and 2nd floor

• Business Building (2nd floor computer lab)
• Science Building (2nd floor computer lab)
• Bundy Campus (computer lab_
• Center for Media and Design Campus (1st floor room 119, 2nd floor computer lab)

Leadership and Credential Opportunities

SMC offers many opportunities for students to develop and exercises their leadership
opportunities and pick up credentials that will give them a leg up later in life and help them
develop a sense of meaning and belonging while at SMC. Here are just a few ways you can get
the most out of your time at SMC:

• Start or join a student club (e.g. the Philosophy Club!) and/or become a club officer. You can
learn more about student clubs here:https://www.smc.edu/community/office-of-student-life/
student-government/clubs.php
• Earn an AA degree or a certificate of achievement in public policy through SMC’s Public
Policy Institute. Participants will also gain experience in public policy, network leadership,
and mentoring opportunities, access to scholarships, etc. You can learn more about the program
here: https://www.smc.edu/community/public-policy-institute/specialization/

• Aspiring lawyers should think about partaking in SMC’s Law Pathway Program. In addition
to earning a certificate, students who complete the program will gain exposure to the legal
profession, networking, leadership, and mentoring opportunities, academic and skill
development workshops, access to Law Pathways scholarships, etc. Learn more about the
program here: https://www.smc.edu/student-support/academic-support/law-pathway/

• Get involved with student government. Learn more about this option here: https://
www.smc.edu/student-support/direct-connect/student-advocacy-allyship-inclusivity/associated-
students.php

• If you excel in my classes and exhibit empathy, respect, and strong leadership skills, I will be
happy to recommend you as tutor or a peer navigator for our Student Success Teams.

Email Communication

• To ensure your message is received, use your school/Canvas email address and include an
informative subject line.

• I will respond within 24 hours to emails that I receive anytime between 8am on Monday and
Friday at 5pm. I reserve the right to wait until Monday to respond to emails sent over the
weekend, although I will typically respond sooner than that.

Important Dates

Last Day to Withdraw to Receive a Refund: March 2, 2025

Last Day to Withdraw to Avoid a W: March 16, 2025
Last Day to Withdraw to Guarantee a W: May 18, 2025
Last Day to Request Pass/No Pass Grade: June 17, 2025

Daily Schedule

Core Concepts in Symbolic Logic

T. Feb. 18: Introductions and Core Concepts in Symbolic Logic

The Language of Sentential Logic

TH. Feb. 20: Translating Sentences and Arguments into the Language of Sentential Logic
 Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 1, Sections 1.1 -1.2 and Vol. 1, Chapter 2

T. Feb. 25: If/Then Translations, and the Negation of ‘and,’ and ‘or’ (No reading for this day)

TH. Feb 27: 1st Homework Assignment Due on Canvas by 11:59pm

1st quiz posted on Thursday at 10am and due Sunday at 11:59pm

Truth Tables

T. March 4: Truth Tables

Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 3; Chapter 4, sections 4.1-4.3

TH. March 6: Using Truth Tables To Prove Validity, as well as some other stuff
Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 3; Chapter 4, sections 4.1-4.3

T. March 11: 2nd Homework Assignment Due on Canvas by 5pm

2nd quiz posted on Thursday at 10am and due Sunday at 11:59pm

Natural Deduction

TH. March 13: Natural Deduction (i.e. proofs) without Sub-Derivations

Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 5, section 5.1

T. March 18: Natural Deduction With Sub-Derivations: Conditional Proofs

Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 5, Sections 5.2-5.3
3rd Homework Assignment

TH. March 20: No Class

T. March 25: Natural Deduction With Sub-derivations: Reductio ad Absurdum Proofs

TH. March 27: Strategies for Natural Deduction

Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 6; Chapter 7, section 7-1-7-2
4th Homework Assignment Due on Canvas By 5pm

T. April 1: Derived Rules and Rules of Replacement

Read: Vol. 1, Chapter 7, Sections 7.3-7.4

TH. April 3: 5th Homework Assignment Due on Canvas by 5pm

3rd Quiz Posted on Tuesday at 10am and Due Sunday by 11:59pm

T. April 8: Review

TH. April 10: Midterm

T. April 15: Spring Break

TH. April 17: Spring Break

The Language of Predicate Logic

T. April 22: The Language of Predicate Logic

Read: Vol. II, Chapter 1

TH. April 24: Restricted Quantifiers

Read: Vol. II, Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Section 4.1

T. April 29: Overlapping Quantifiers

Read: Review the reading for Oct. 29

Th. May 1: 6th Homework Assignment Due

4th Quiz Posted on Thursday at 8am and Due Sunday at 11:59pm

T. May 6: The Semantics of Predicate Logic—Substitution Instances and Expansions,

Read: Vol. II, Chapter 2, Section 2.3. (Recommended: Re-read 2.1 and 2.2 as well)

TH. May 8: Expansions for overlapping and restricted quantifiers

T. May 13: The Semantic Method for Proving Invalidity in Predicate Logic
Read: Vol. II, Chapter 2, Section 2.3. (Recommended: Re-read 2.1 and 2.2 as well)

TH. May 15: 7th Homework Due on Canvas by 5pm

5th Quiz posted on Thursday at 10am and due by Sunday at 11:59pm

Natural Deduction for Predicate Logic

T. May 20: Universal Elimination and Existential Introduction

Read: Vol. II, Chapter 5,Sections 5.1-5.3

TH. May 22: Universal Introduction

Read: Vol. II, Chapter 5, Sections 5.4-5.5
T. May 27: Existential Elimination
Read: Vol. II, Chapter 5, Section 5.6

TH. May 29: Derived Rules and Rules of Replacement

Read. Vol. II, Chapter 6, Section 6.1-6.2

T. June 3: 8th Homework Assignment Due

Th. June 5: Review

6th Quiz posted on Th at 8am and due by Sunday at 11:59pm

T. June 10: The Final Exam for the 12:45 is from 12pm-3pm. The 9:30 class does not meet this
day

Th. June 12: The Final Exam for the 9:30am class is from 8am-11am. The 12:45 class does not
meet this day.