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) Formal aproaches to semantics. 7) Pragmatics: Presupposition and Relevance Theory
8) Speech Acts and Politeness
9) Spatial Reference
10) From semantics to discourse
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) Formal aproaches to semantics. 7) Pragmatics: Presupposition and Relevance Theory 8) Speech Acts and Politeness 9) Spatial Reference 10) From semantics to discourse 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

• Students will be able to analyse language data using a range of different approaches/methodological frameworks.

• Students will 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 and to the mind.

• Students will know the terminology and the theoretical constructs/assumptions and approaches that underlie the study of linguistic meaning.

• Students will understand the different main theoretical approaches that can be taken in the study of meaning.