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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Language Sciences

Undergraduate Course: Current Issues in Semantics and Pragmatics (LASC10069)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course provides an introduction to formal theories of semantics and pragmatics, with reference to the cognitive plausibility of those theories. This is done by considering current important issues in the subject that have given rise to controversy and debate.
Course description Providing testable and accurate accounts of semantic phenomena require the use of tools from philosophical logic to break out of the circular trap of using a natural (human) language to explain the properties of the same or a different natural language. In this course, basic tools of logic are introduced and explained (predicate logic, the lambda calculus, model theory and natural deduction). Using these tools, classic problems in interpretation are explored such as quantification, reference and modality, before moving on to recent issues surrounding event structure, discourse and context dependence.
The course is divided into four main sections:
- Representation and Interpretation: the nature of meaning; deductive and interpretative
semantics; predicate logic; type theory; the lambda calculus.
- Reference and Quantification in Natural Languages: Proper names; indexicals; the limitations of traditional quantifiers; generalised quantifiers; plurals and the limitations of GQ theory; semantic approaches to pronominal anaphora; discourse referents and their representation; definites and indefinites; presupposition and accommodation.
- Event Semantics and Context: Argument structure and entailment; event theory, temporal anaphora; ellipsis; tense, aspect and Aktionsart; adverbial adjuncts; modality and opacity.
- Syntax and Semantics: Representation in linguistics; syntax as procedures for constructing meanings; Dynamic Syntax.

The course is NOT a course in logic but how linguists can use logical tools to explore difficult issues in interpreting the expressions of natural languages.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: LEL2A: Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English (LASC08017)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Formal Semantics for Philosophers (PHIL10137)
Other requirements Students studying on BA HSS programmes MUST seek permission from the course organiser before choosing to take this course.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Linguistics/Language Sciences courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
To be able to read current primary literature in semantics and pragmatics; to formulate and evaluate analyses of linguistic data in the light of theoretical proposals; to reason critically; to identify and solve problems; to independently formulate and test hypotheses; and to compare and evaluate competing hypotheses and theories.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordslinguistics; semantics; pragmatics; logic
Contacts
Course organiserProf Ronnie Cann
Tel: (0131 6)51 1839
Email:
Course secretaryMiss Emma Nelson
Tel: (0131 6)50 9870
Email:
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