Module QXL-2202:
Semantics & Pragmatics
Semantics and Pragmatics 2023-24
QXL-2202
2023-24
School Of Arts, Culture And Language
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Alan Wallington
Overview
1) Words, concepts, categories, frames and domains
2) Polysemy
3) Meaning components, language universals, thematic roles
4) Metaphor and figurative language
5) Mental Spaces Theory and Conceptual Blending
6) Quantifiers, Determiners and Predicate Logic.
7) Pragmatics: Relevance Theory
8) Pragmatics: Speech Acts and Politeness
9) Spatial Reference
10) Discourse and context
11) Wrap up: grammar and meaning, how might they be related?
1) Words, concepts, categories, frames and domains 2) Polysemy 3) Meaning components, language universals, thematic roles 4) Metaphor and figurative language 5) Mental Spaces Theory and Conceptual Blending 6) Quantifiers, Determiners and Predicate Logic. 7) Pragmatics: Presupposition and Relevance Theory 8) Pragmatics: Speech Acts and Politeness 9) Spatial Reference 10) Discourse and context 11) Wrap up: grammar and meaning, how might they be related?
Assessment Strategy
-threshold -D: Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.
-good -B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.
-excellent -A: Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse language data using a range of different approaches and methodological frameworks.
- Know and be able to explain the respective roles that concepts, words, sentences and context play in meaning and how these might relate to truth conditions and to the mind and mental representations.
- Know the terminology and the theoretical constructs/assumptions and approaches that underlie the study of linguistic meaning.
- Recognize and differentiate the different main theoretical approaches that can be taken in the study of meaning.
Assessment method
Other
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
Semantics data analysis. This will cover the first five lectures, which mainly comprise the semantics part of the module . Apart from some data analysis, the assessment will also test knowledge of what each lecture was about.
Weighting
20%
Due date
17/11/2023
Assessment method
Other
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
Pragmatics data analysis. This assessment will test the student's knowledge and understanding of the second five lectures of the module, dealing with largely pragmatic issues. Apart from data analysis, the assessment will test the student's knowledge of what each lecture was about.
Weighting
20%
Due date
22/12/2023
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
Assignment 3 - Essays A choice of essays will be given and students must answer one essay on semantics and one on pragmatics
Weighting
60%
Due date
17/01/2024