Welcome to PHIL 60: Deductive Logic

This course teaches you how to play a game — or, depending on how far you go, two games.

Those games are formal systems of logic. You will learn how to play them precisely, and you will also learn how to use them as tools: to analyze English statements and arguments, to see structure where it is usually hidden, and to reason more carefully and reliably.

The course itself is also structured as a game with a simple goal: defeat Bosses to progress.

Each Boss tests whether you can use the abilities you have unlocked so far. Defeating a Boss unlocks the next level and new abilities. To complete the course, you must continue defeating Bosses until you reach the end of the game.

Course Info

Format: Face-to-face  |  Term: Fall 2026

Class Meetings: TR 4:30pm–5:45pm in MND 3009

Instructor: Dr. Brandon Carey (he/him)

Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-4:30pm in MND 3014 and on Zoom. See the “Office Hours” page on Canvas for the Zoom link and meeting ID.

Contact: The best way to contact me is via Canvas message (if you do not have Canvas access for some reason, you can reach me via email at brandon.carey@csus.edu). I will make every effort to respond quickly, but messages sent after 5pm M–F or on weekends will likely be answered the next weekday.

Catalogue Description: Introduction to deductive logic. Topics include: basic concepts of deductive logic; techniques of formal proof in propositional and predicate logic.

Text: There are no required textbooks for this course. All materials can be accessed through the course Canvas page.

Special Note: The University requires faculty and staff to report any personal disclosures of sexual misconduct including rape, dating/domestic violence and stalking to the Title IX Coordinator. Students who do not wish to report their experience to me or the Title IX Coordinator may speak to someone confidentially by contacting Student Health and Counseling Services.

The Game(s)

A logic is a game with:

• pieces you can manipulate,
• moves you are allowed to make, and
• clear conditions for success.

You learn a logic by learning how to do things in the game.

In this course, you will learn Propositional Logic: the logic of statements, switch puzzles, and Minecraft redstone contraptions.

If you choose to progress further, you will also learn First-Order Logic: the logic of databases, Discord roles, and Among Us emergency meetings.

Levels and Abilities

The course is divided into Levels. Each level unlocks new abilities, which allow you to make new moves in the game.

Each Level contains:

• a Move List, listing the new moves you are now able to make,
• a Guide for using those moves to make sense of things beyond the game,
• Demos of those moves in action, both in and out of the game,
• Training Mode, where you practice, and
• a Boss to test your mastery.

To complete the level, you must complete all of these elements in order.

Training Mode

Before attempting a Boss, you must complete Training Mode. Training Mode is a no-risk environment where you practice your newly-unlocked abilities. Mistakes here cost nothing. You can repeat Training Mode as many times as you need or want.

⚔️ Bosses

Each Level ends with a Boss. To progress to the next Level, you must defeat the Boss. There is no partial credit: either you demonstrate mastery of the required abilities, or you train and try again.

Bosses are closed-book tests taken in class, on paper, during the final 30 minutes of each class meeting. You may attempt a Boss multiple times, as long as you meet the requirements to do so, but you may only make one Boss attempt per class meeting.

🔋 Readiness

You begin the course with 2 Readiness 🔋🔋. Attempting a Boss costs 🔋. However, if you defeat the Boss, that Readiness is immediately refunded—you proved that you were ready. So, it's only costly to attempt a Boss that you're not ready for.

Earning Readiness

You can earn 🔋 once per class meeting through Skill Checks, Coaching, or Side Quests:

You will also have an opportunity to earn up to 2 🔋 by attending sessions at the Philosophy Department's annual Nammour Symposium.

How Class Time Works

Class meetings function as a training ground to help you prepare for Bosses, which, starting in Week 2, you can choose to attempt during the last 30 minutes of class. You can use class time to:

• read Move Lists/Guides,
• watch Demos (please use headphones),
• work on Training Mode,
• receive coaching either from your classmates or from me, and
• earn 🔋 through Coaching, Skill Checks, or Side Quests.

If you choose to attempt a Boss, I'll have you show me on your phone that it is unlocked for you, and you'll have the last 30 minutes of class for your attempt. If you're not attempting a Boss, you can continue to quietly study, practice, and train during the Boss attempt window.

Winning the Game (and Grades)

Your grade in this course is primarily determined by how far you make it in the game, modified a bit by how well you played. Your base grade is determined by the highest Boss you defeat, and that base grade is modified by the rest bonus at the end of the course to determine your final grade.

🎓 Beating the Game

Defeating Boss 6 (the final Boss of Propositional Logic) means you have beaten the game, which earns a base grade of C.

New Game+

After beating the game, you may continue into New Game+ where you'll learn to play a second game: First-Order Logic. Each additional Boss you defeat beyond Boss 6 increases your base grade by one step (e.g. B- to B), as shown in this table:

Rest Bonus

Your remaining Readiness 🔋 at the end of the term reflects how well you played the game and modifies your base grade up or down one step (or not) to determine your final grade:

• 10+ 🔋: You finish ready for anything. Your final grade is one step above your base grade.
• 2–9 🔋: You finish rested. Your final grade is your base grade.
• 0–1 🔋: You finish exhausted. Your final grade is one step below your base grade.

Note that some final grades are only possible through a combination of Boss progress and the Rest Bonus. For example, to earn an A, you need to defeat Boss 11 and finish the course with at least 10 🔋. The lowest grade that will satisfy the GE Area 2 requirement (C-) is guaranteed if you defeat Boss 6, even if you end the course exhausted.

Learning Objectives

Philosophy Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Construct well-formed formulas in Propositional Logic and First-Order Logic
2. Translate English statements into Propositional Logic and First-Order Logic
3. Use truth tables to evaluate statements and arguments in Propositional Logic
4. Use models to evaluate statements and arguments in First-Order Logic
5. Construct proofs in both Propositional Logic and First-Order Logic

GE Area 2 Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to solve problems by thinking logically, making conjectures, and constructing valid mathematical arguments.
• Students will be able to make valid inferences from numerical, graphical and symbolic information.
• Students will be able to apply mathematical reasoning to both abstract and applied problems, and to both scientific and non-scientific problems

Course Policies

Academic Dishonesty

As a CSU student, you have access to ChatGPT Edu, which may be useful to you as a tool for practice and creativity. Realistically, I can't stop you from using it to complete Training Mode or Side Quests. However, if you use ChatGPT or anything else to cheat on these assignments, you won't be prepared for the Boss, so you won't be able to progress in the course.
Bosses are designed to make academic dishonesty extremely impractical. However, if you somehow submit work that is not your own, whether AI-generated, plagiarized, copied from another student, etc. that is academically dishonest. All incidents of suspected academic dishonesty will result in failing the Boss and an invitation to provide an alternative explanation of the evidence. Per the University’s Academic Honesty Policy, if I (i) do not hear any alternative explanation from you or (ii) determine that the most likely explanation is still academic dishonesty you will still fail the Boss. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, I may also report the incident to the Philosophy Department Chair and/or to the Student Conduct Officer in the Office of Student Affairs for possible further administrative sanction. If you are unsure about exactly what counts as plagiarism or cheating, feel free to ask me or consult the Library’s guide.

Statement of Inclusion

The pursuit of philosophical knowledge is for absolutely everyone. You are welcome, but not required, to share your experiences, background, and preferred names and pronouns in this class.

Information on setting your preferred name and pronouns in your student center can be found here:

• How do I use a preferred name for university purposes?
• How do I add pronouns to my student center account?

Please also remember that, even if we are not meeting physically on campus, class interactions should follow the Hornet Honor Code.

Technology

Canvas has an app, but many of its features work differently in the app than in a web browser. I've done my best to build this course so that it works both in a browser and on the app, but I can't guarantee that everything will work perfectly in the app.

Although Bosses are completed on paper, you'll want some kind of electronic device with you in class each day so you can access Move Lists, Guides, Demos, Training Mode, etc. All of these things should work on a phone, but you may find it helpful to have a laptop or tablet.

Please note the following university technology resources:

• Laptops may be checked out for short- or long-term use through the university.
• If you experience a technical problem you cannot resolve on your own, contact Information Resources & Technology.

Universal Accommodation

This course and all materials have been designed, as much as possible, for universal access. If you have difficulty accessing any of the material, please let me know at your earliest experience of difficulty.

Sacramento State is committed to ensuring an accessible learning environment where course or instructional content are usable by all students and faculty. If you believe that you require disability-related academic adjustments for this class (including pregnancy-related disabilities), please immediately contact Disability Access Center (DAC) to discuss eligibility. A current accommodation letter from DAC is required before any modifications, above and beyond what is otherwise available for all other students in this class will be provided. Please be advised that disability-related academic adjustments are not retroactive. DAC is located on the first floor of Lassen Hall 1008. Phone is 916-278-6955 and e-mail is dac@csus.edu. For a complete listing of services and current business hours visit the Disability Access Center Website.

Students with other types of accommodation requirements, such as English as a second language, are invited to discuss accommodations with the instructor to facilitate understanding and the best learning experience for all. All information will remain confidential. ESL students are advised to make use of the Reading & Writing Center.

Resources

Student Health & Counseling Services

Your physical and mental health are important to your success as a college student. Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) in The WELL offers medical, counseling, and wellness services to help you get and stay healthy during your time at Sac State.

SHCS offers: Primary Care medical services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare, transgender care, and immunizations; urgent care for acute illness, injuries, and urgent counseling needs; pharmacy for prescriptions and over-the-counter products; mental health counseling, including individual sessions, group counseling, support groups, mindfulness training, and peer counseling; athletic training for sports injury rehabilitation; wellness services, including nutrition counseling, peer led health education and wellness workshops, and free safer sex supplies; violence and sexual assault support services. Most services are covered by the Health Services fee and available at no additional cost.

Basic Needs Support

If you are experiencing challenges with food, housing, financial or other unique circumstances that are impacting your education, help is just a phone call or email away! The CARES office provides case management support for any enrolled student. Email the CARES office at cares@csus.edu to speak with a case manager about the resources available to you. Check out the CARES website.

Other University Support and Services

• Academic Advising
• Dreamer Resource Center
• Martin Luther King Center
• Multicultural Center
• Peer and Academic Resource Center
• Reading and Writing Center
• Student Success Center