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Introduction to Logic

Date: 
Monday, September 30, 2013
Platform: 

Logic is one of the oldest intellectual disciplines in human history. It dates back to the times of Aristotle; it has been studied through the centuries; and it is still a subject of active investigation today.

This course is a basic introduction to Logic. It shows how to formalize information in form of logical sentences. It shows how to reason systematically with this information to produce all logical conclusions and only logical conclusions. And it examines logic technology and its applications - in mathematics, science, engineering, business, law, and so forth.

The course differs from other introductory courses in Logic in two important ways. First of all, it teaches a novel theory of logic that improves accessibility while preserving rigor. Second, the material is laced with interactive demonstrations and exercises that suggest the many practical applications of the field.

FAQ: 
  • Will I get a statement of accomplishment after completing this class?

    Yes. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a statement of accomplishment signed by the instructor.

  • What is the format of the class?

    The class consists of videos, notes, and a few background readings. The videos include interactive demonstrations and exercises. There are also standalone quizzes that are not part of video lectures. Workload: one to two hours of video content per week.

  • What should I know to take this class?

    The course has no prerequisites beyond high school mathematics. You should be comfortable with symbolic manipulation techniques, as used, for example, in solving simple algebra problems. And you need to understand sets, functions, and relations. However, that's all. If you have this background, you should be fine.

  • Do I need to buy any textbooks?

    None is required, as the course is self-contained.

Instructor(s)

Michael Geneserth

Associate Professor, Stanford University

Michael Genesereth is an associate professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University. He received his Sc.B. in Physics from M.I.T. and his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. He is best known for his research on Computational Logic and its many applications. He has been teaching Logic to Stanford students and others for more than 20 years.