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Introduction to Semantics - LAN00012C

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• Department: Language and Linguistic Science
• Module co-ordinator: Dr. Julia Kolkmann
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: C
• Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
  • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Autumn Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module 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.

Module learning outcomes

Knowledge outcomes

At the end of this module you will understand:

The distinction between different semantic levels (lexical, sentential, discoursal)

The relationship between syntax and semantics

The distinction between semantics and pragmatics

The relationship between words, concepts, and things/facts (sense, reference, extension/intension)

The importance of entailment and the distinction between entailment, presupposition and inference

The importance of truth and truth conditions

The importance and function of a formal metalanguage

Basic logical and set-theoretic concepts, operations and notation

Behavioural outcomes

You will be able to:

Distinguish between semantic anomaly and ungrammaticality

Apply semantic tests for entailment, implication and presupposition

Evaluate predicate logic formulae

Translate sentences of English into logic (and, to a lesser extent, vice-versa)

Write basic set-theoretic formulae

Construct a model

Identify well-formed formulae in propositional and predicate logic

Assessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Exercise set 1	N/A	20
Essay/coursework Exercise set 2	N/A	20
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) Introduction to Semantics	8 hours	60

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) Reassessment: Introduction to Semantics	8 hours	100

Module feedback

Feedback within 20 working days of submission.

Indicative reading

There is no set textbook for this module, but readings will be recommended by the lecturer. To prepare for semantics, have a look at Paul Elbourne’s (2011) book “Meaning: A Slim Guide to Semantics” (Oxford University Press).