This course aims to develop an understanding of an understanding of the principles underlying the expression of meanings through language. It surveys basic topics in semantics such as sense and reference,lexical semantics and basic sense relations, semantics and grammar, simple logic. It also provides an introduction to pragmatics and the negotiation of interpersonal meanings in contexts of situation.The course will consider language as a social phenomenon and offer a historical and comparative overview of linguistic theories.
Fromkin, V., R. Rodman and N. Hyams. (2003). An introduction to Language. Boston: Thomson & Heinle. /
Holmes, J. (2001). An introduction to Sociolinguistics.UK: Longman. /
Hurford, J.R. , B.Heasley and M.B. Smith. (2007). Semantics: A Coursebook. Cambridge: CUP./
Yule, G. (2004). The Study of Language. Cambridge: CUP.
Other Sources
Brinton, L.J. and Donna M. Brinton. (2010). The Linguistic Structure of Modern English. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Course Schedules
Week
Contents
Learning Methods
1. Week
Introduction to the course
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
2. Week
An overview of semantics
Levels of meaning: word meaning, sentence meaning, utterance meaning
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
3. Week
Lexical Semantics: The meaning of words
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
4. Week
Lexical Semantics: The meaning of words
Lexical Semantics/ Fromkin Chapter
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
5. Week
The meaning of sentences
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
6. Week
Compositionality
Putting meaning together
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
7. Week
Mid term Exam
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
8. Week
Holliday
9. Week
Compositionality
Putting meaning together
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
10. Week
Meaning in context
Pragmatics
Types of context and how meaning is affected by context
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
11. Week
Pragmatics Rules of conversation, Cooperative principle- Gricean maxims
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
12. Week
Pragmatics Rules of conversation, Cooperative principle- Gricean maxims
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
13. Week
Pragmatics
Language as action
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
14. Week
Review
Reading, classroom discussions, self-study and research, exercises.
15. Week
Review
16. Week
Final Exams Week
17. Week
Final Exams Week
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Midterm(s)
1
20
Quizzes
2
20
Attendance
10
10
Final Exam
1
50
Program Outcomes
PO-1
Show knowledge of a substantial range of authors, movements and texts from different periods of literary history.
PO-2
Identify the intellectual, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature
is written and read.
PO-3
Employ the necessary skills in the reading, analysis and in appreciation of literature.
PO-4
Recognize, interpret, and comment on rhetorical and figurative language.
PO-5
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of texts written in the principle literary genres.
PO-6
Recall and define key terms and concepts relating to language, literature and/or culture.
PO-7
Recognize the role of different social and cultural contexts in affecting meaning.
PO-8
Demonstrate responsiveness to the central role of language in the creation of meaning.
PO-9
Recognize different structures and discourse functions of the English language.
PO-10
Display competence both in written and/or oral expression and in the
communication of ideas in a variety of contexts.
PO-11
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation,
and analysis of literary and non-literary texts.
PO-12
Use logical thought, critical reasoning, and rhetorical skills to effectively
construct arguments.
PO-13
Apply guided research skills including the ability to gather, sift, organize and
present information and material.
PO-14
Show competence in planning, preparation and revision of essays,
presentations, and other written and project work.
PO-15
Reflect on ethical and philosophical issues raised in literary, critical, and
cultural texts.
Learning Outcomes
LO-1
distinguish different types of meaning (literal and non-literal figurative speech) and explain the differences between sentence meaning and utterance meaning.
LO-2
recognize, explain and analyse lexical semantics and sentence semantics.
LO-3
identify and interpret the role of context in deriving meaning.
LO-4
explain and interpret the intertwined relationship between language, culture and thought.
LO-5
construct general knowledge about primary theories of language and employ a comparative approach.
LO-6
recognize, explain, analyse and interpret how and why languages vary systematically and change according to historical, individual and social factors with primary focus on the English language.
