Logic as a Tool for Modelling
Vrije University - Summer & Winter graduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 weeks
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 735 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
21 Jul 2024
* VU students
Introduction
Throughout the course, we will encourage the participants to think about how logic can be applied to their fields of interest.
Logic is the study of different types of reasoning. Logic is also a technology, a tool for elegantly modelling diverse phenomena. The aim of the course is to introduce you to this tool and to explain how it can be used. The course is divided into 3 parts.
We will introduce Classical Logic as the starting point, and show how many different systems of reasoning (logics) arise as variations. We will introduce two fundamental ways of studying logic, semantics and syntax. The latter is naturally suited to modelling and automated reasoning. We will also discuss applications in the social sciences focusing on agency and information flow. We will introduce logical formalisms that allow us to model situations in which truth is socially constructed and develop notions such as knowledge and group and common knowledge.
The overarching theme in the handling of applications is the notion of categories and categorisation. Categorisation is the activity of placing things such as objects or ideas into categories based on their similarities or common criteria. We will formally introduce categorisation theory, starting from the classical theory of Aristotle right up to prototype and exemplar theory. We will formalise these notions and explain how the tools of logic could be used to incorporate vagueness in this theory.
The third part of the course uses the foundational development from Part 1 and the modelling intuitions from Part 2. We will introduce the study of formal linguistics where words are classified in terms of the role they play in sentence formation. A word can be categorised as a noun phrase, a transitive verb, etc. Syntactic categories are then combined, according to rules of formation, to build complex expressions. We will see how a grammatically correct sentence can then be captured by a formal proof or a process of computation and how different readings correspond to different proofs.
- Course level: Master / Advanced
- Credits: 3 ECTS
- Contact Hours: 45
- Language: English
- Tuition fee: €735 - €1310
Gallery
Ideal Students
Our target audience is students from any background who have some exposure to mathematical reasoning, academic maturity, and cross-disciplinary interests. We do not presuppose any subject knowledge. Specifically, we aim for advanced Bachelor's students and Master's students from fields such as mathematics, computer science, economics, philosophy, finance, accounting, and linguistics.
Apart from Bachelor's and Master's students, we also welcome PhD candidates and professionals to apply to the course.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Equal Access Scholarship
Application procedure
The application deadline has expired. It is no longer possible to apply for the Equal Access Scholarship.
Great that you are interested in applying for the Equal Access Scholarship. You can apply via this link (expired) for the scholarship from 1 February and 1 April. Please be aware that it is only possible to select one course.
The results of the scholarship selection will be announced in mid-May. Since we have a limited number of scholarships available for a large number of applicants, we suggest - if possible! - to complete your payment at the time of your course application to guarantee your place in the course. However, if you are not able to come without the scholarship, you can just wait until the announcement. If you would like to come, regardless of whether you will be granted the scholarship, it is best to secure your place in the course by completing your payment via our regular application form. If the scholarship is granted to you, the tuition and accommodation fees will be reimbursed.
Deadline to submit your Equal Access Scholarship application: 31 March (23:59 CET).
Photographer Scholarship
Do you love to capture moments, people, and surroundings on your smartphone/camera? Do you have good editing skills and a passion for social media? Become our summer school photographer! This photographer scholarship is only offered to those participating in a 2-week course or in case you join us for both sessions.
What do we offer:
- €500 discount on tuition fee
- A number of social activities for free (allocated by summer team, requirement: must take photos)
What do we expect from you:
- Photos of your time at VU Amsterdam Summer School (photos of fellow students, Amsterdam, excursions, and social program)
- Creating content/story takeover on the VU Amsterdam Instagram account
- Participation in the social program (free of charge and based on availability)
- Attending the photographer kick-off meeting
Application procedure*
Please send a short video where you introduce yourself (approx. 30 seconds-1 minute) and some examples of your photo work to [email protected], please use 'Photographer Scholarship' as the subject line. It is important to use your own smartphone or camera. Deadline for applications: 14 May 23:59 (CET).
As the Photographer application deadline is after the course registration deadline, it is important that you apply and pay for the course you are interested in before the application deadline of 1 May. If you end up winning the scholarship, then you will be reimbursed the €500 that the scholarship grants. If you are not granted the scholarship and are not able to join the course without the partial grant, then you can still receive a full refund until 16 May. If you are not able to join without the grant then you can also decide to wait until the winners are announced - and thus not apply for the course beforehand - however, this could mean that the course you are interested in is not available anymore. We, therefore. highly recommend, if possible, to apply via our application page before the official course registration deadline.
*If you are a summer Exchange student or a university partner nominee (course fee and/or housing is funded by your university), then you are, unfortunately, not applicable for this scholarship.
Curriculum
Classes will take place from Monday 4 July until Friday 15 July. In general, classes will be during the week between 9 am and 17 pm (please take exceptions into account). Wednesday afternoons and weekends will be off for optional social activities or personal time. Good to be aware that self-study will be required in your private time (nights and weekends). Saturday 2 July and Saturday 16 July are arrivals and departure days (in case you arrange accommodation via our housing service). More details will be shared in the course syllabus which will be shared with the participants in June.
Program Outcome
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand what is meant by the study of logic, and summarise how different systems of reasoning(logics) come about, and outline how they can be studied.
- Explain the relationship of proof theory and logic.
- List and compare a number of different logics, and illustrate how they differ from classical logic.
- Show how logic can be used to model diverse phenomena.
- Distinguish the dual role of logic as an idealised form of reasoning and a modelling tool.
- Develop a maturity concerning abstract modelling and argumentation.