Module PHL2018 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL2018: Philosophy of Language
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
The module seeks to familiarise you with the central place that philosophy of language occupies in contemporary analytic philosophy, with the influential positions that have been adopted by major figures in the field, and with the key points of the debates between them. You will gain a thorough overview of the philosophy of language, and the grounding necessary for more advanced study in analytic philosophy.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Develop an understanding of the subject matter, concerns, and methodology of philosophy of language. 2. Critically analyse the notions of meaning and reference. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Understand the central position of philosophy of language in contemporary analytic philosophy. 4. Apply the tools of conceptual and linguistic analysis in all areas of philosophy. 5. Evaluate the claims made by other philosophical disciplines and traditions which hinge on theories of meaning or language. |
Personal and Key Skills | 6. Communicate complex ideas in clear and precise written and verbal form. 7. Construct, evaluate, and criticise arguments. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Class discussion | Weekly | 1-7 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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50 | 50 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-7 | Written feedback |
Examination | 50 | 2 hours | 1-7 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment Period |
Examination | Exam (2 hours) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
The majority of the course readings may be found in A. P. Martinich (2010), The Philosophy of Language (International 5th Edition). An e-copy of this text will be available through the library.
Two useful textbooks are William Lycan (2008), Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction and Alexander Miller (2007), Philosophy of Language.