Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL2018: Philosophy of Language

This module descriptor refers to the 2024/5 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Gottlob Frege on Sense and Reference

Bertrand Russell and the Theory of Definite Descriptions

Causal Theories of Reference; Kripke and Putnam

Verificationism and Meaning; Logical Positivism and Dummett

Scepticism about Meaning 1; Quine on Analyticity and Meaning Holism

Meaning as Intention 1; Speech Acts

Meaning as Intention 2; Gricean Implicature

Meaning and Truth; Davidson and Tarski

Meaning and Metaphor

 

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity22Weekly 2-hour lectures/seminars or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar
Guided Independent Study40Assigned readings associated with
Guided Independent Study44Preparation of Assigned Essay
Guided Independent Study44Private Study for Exam

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE

Lecture slides and any readings not found in the Martinich volume will be available on the module’s ELE page.