2008-09: L140 (4111140) Elementary Semantics

Aims:

The module aims to equip students with the basic conceptual and formal tools of semantics and to a lesser extent of pragmatics. Students will learn how to formulate limited hypotheses and test them using basic semantic tests. Expected outcomes are listed below.

Knowledge outcomes

At the end of this module you will understand:

1. the distinction between different semantic levels (lexical, sentential, discoursal)
2. the basic lexical relations and the general organisation of the lexicon
3. the relationship between syntax and semantics
4. the distinction between semantics and pragmatics.
5. The relationship between words, concepts, and things/fact (sense, reference, extension/intension)
6. The importance of entailment and the distinction between entailment, presupposition and implication
7. The important of truth and truth conditions
8. The importance of a formal metalanguage
9. Basic logical and set-theoretic concepts, operations and notation

Behavioural outcomes

You will be able to:

1. Distinguish the different lexical relations holding between sets of items.
2. Distinguish between semantic anomaly and ungrammaticality. 
3. Apply semantic tests for entailment, implication and presupposition.
4. Evaluate predicate logic formulae.
5. Translate sentences of English into logic (and, to a lesser extent, vice-versa).
6. Write basic set-theoretic formulae.
7. Construct a model.
8. Identify well-formed formulae in propositional and predicate logic.

Teaching materials:

Hurford, J.R., Heasley, B. and Smith, M. B. 2007. Semantics: a coursebook (second edition). Cambridge University Press.

The textbook will be supplemented by additional material and lecture notes, which will be provided via the Virtual Learning Environment

Assessment

Formative assessment

Submission of formative assessment will be required for progression to further modules in this strand. This will include: exercises in applying tests for entailment and presupposition, translation into logic; evaluation of formulae, Model construction and the evaluation procedure; exercises in set theory; outlining implicature calculation.

An obligatory class test will take place in Week 1 of Term 2. 

Summative assessment

• A closed examination of 90 minutes in Week 7 of Term 3. 

Teaching programme

Last Updated: March 11, 2010 | ez506

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