PHIL 230 Introduction to Formal Logic

Schedule of assignments and tests

Spring, 2012

Exercises are in Language, Proof and Logic except where number is preceded by ‘H’. Exercises beginning with ‘H’ are in the handbook. The instructions for each exercise or group of exercises specify file(s) to open. These files are available for free download.

In Firefox	While holding down the ‘alt/option’, just click on the exercise file. To save file somewhere other than your default location for downloads, hold down ‘Control’ instead of ‘alt/option’, choose ‘Save as ...’ in the pulldown menu, choose your location, and select ‘All files’ in the ‘Save as’ pulldown menu before clicking the ‘Save’ button.
In Safari	While holding down the ‘control’ key, click on the exercise file and choose ‘Download linked file as ...’, but do not change the file name. (Names should end with ‘.sen’ for sentence files, ‘.tt’ for truth table files, and ‘.prf’ for proof files.) Safari may add ‘.html’ or ‘.txt’ at the end of the file name. If so, the extra extension must be deleted before opening the file.
In Explorer	Not recommended because it creates problems with the hidden extensions that indicate file type.
In Chrome	While holding down the ‘alt/option’ key, click on exercise file and choose ‘Save link target as …’ from the pull-down menu. If you get gibberish or code when you open the file, try following the instructions for Firefox. (I have not had the opportunity to download any of these files using Chrome, but am relying on what students have told me about it. If you have problems downloading the files, I recommend using Firefox or Safari, since I have tested those instructions.)

Homework policies

Homework problems are listed with readings they cover. Try some by the date listed. To make best use of class time, be prepared to ask questions that arise in the course of trying to work problems. Discussion of each problem set is likely to spill over to the next class meeting.

Exercises marked with asterisks (*) are required and count directly toward the course grade. Others are recommended for practice and need not be submitted. Solutions for problems not counting toward the grade can, however, be submitted to the GradeGrinder web site for feedback. These will not add points to the homework component of your grade, but working on them can be expected to improve performance on graded work. Do enough of them to feel confident of the skills they use.

Required solutions due at 11:59 PM 4 days after their listing, or the date of the next test if that is earlier. Exercises listed for a Tuesday should be submitted by Saturday night; exercises listed for a Thursday should be submitted by Monday night. Credit will be reduced for submissions 1 to 5 days later. Beyond that, no credit will be earned. Solutions due before a test must be submitted by the date of that test to earn credit.

Solutions with errors will receive partial credit. Solutions with errors may be revised and resubmitted to improve the grade. A corrected solution turned in by your test date will earn points based on the date of submission of your first serious attempt at a solution. Thus full credit may be earned for subsequent corrections if the first attempt was submitted by the due date.

Last modified March 7, 2012.