UGS 303 Foundations of Logical Thought
Elaine Rich
Alan
Cline
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This
class is a Signature Course. So
it has two important goals: ·
To
introduce you, broadly, to the intellectual community that is the
University. Click here to find out more about this part
of the class. ·
To
introduce you to a particular important topic, in our case logic and formal
reasoning. Click here to find out more about this part
of the class. FREGE and Quest This
class exploits FREGE, an interactive online learning environment. FREGE delivers valuable lessons and
assignments in a flexible manner that allows you to spend as much time as you
need on a topic. It is expected that you will complete the lessons
and/or assignments prior to attending class. This allows us to clarify
topics that are unclear and go more in-depth into each topic. FREGE is
implemented on UT’s Quest, learning platform. Target
Audience This
course is designed for students who want to hone their reasoning skills. So
it teaches skills everyone needs.
Because we will choose many of our examples from mathematics and
computing, students with interest in those areas will find that this class
(in contrast to most other logic classes) will show them how to solve
problems that they care about. We
will also emphasize the relationship between English and the formal languages
of logic. So students who are
interested in linguistics should find it relevant. Prerequisites
There
are no formal prerequisites. But the class will require that you have, or
acquire, a reasonable degree of comfort with formal notations (of the sort
used in mathematics). Oral and Written Communication Clear
thinking and clear communication go hand in hand. This class will give you a powerful
set of tools for clear thinking.
We’ll practice using them in both oral and written
communication. ·
You
will practice writing proofs, both in the formal language of logic and in the
less formal (but no less clear) language typically used in mathematics. ·
In
the weekly discussion sections, you will be called upon to present your
proofs in class. You will need to
be able to answer questions from the rest of the class and to defend your
arguments. Contact Information
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