Module overview
Philosophy of language explores the nature of meaning, language, and communication. What is it for a word or sentence – things which in and of themselves are simply noises or marks on a page – to mean something? What is it for a word to refer to something in the world? What is it for a sentence to express someone’s thought? This module will address these questions by considering the work and ideas of some of the central figures in the philosophy of language, including Frege, Russell, Quine, Grice, and Kripke.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- articulate and defend your own views on the topic and to relate the issues they concern to issues in other areas of philosophy.
- present and debate ideas in writing, in an open minded and rigorous way.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the central doctrines of contemporary philosophy of language.
- the capacity of these doctrines to account for key elements in our understanding of the meaning, language, and communication.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- undertake, with adequate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
- work effectively to deadlines.
- take notes from talks and written materials.
Syllabus
The syllabus may vary from year to year. Topics may include:
1) Locke on the nature of language
2) Frege on sense and reference
3) Russell and Strawson on definite descriptions
4) Kripke on proper names
5) Davidson on truth and meaning
6) Grice on meaning and communication
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures
- In class discussion
- One to one consultation with the module coordinator
Learning activities include
- Attending classes
- Contributing to class discussion
- Preparing for and completing assessment tasks
- Applying techniques and skills learnt to your reading and writing inside and outside the module
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 117 |
| Teaching | 33 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
W Lycan (1999). Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge.
M Morris (2007). An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy). Cambridge University Press.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Essay proposal
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
- Percentage contribution: 100%
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Timed Assignment | 40% |
| Essay | 60% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 60% |
| Timed Assignment | 40% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External