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Foundations of Meaning - LAN00069I

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Eytan Zweig
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

How do we manage to understand each other - most of the time very effortlessly - in communication? What is meaning, and where does it come from? This module aims to equip students with the basic conceptual tools of semantics, the study of literal meaning, and pragmatics, the study of meaning in context. Students will learn how to analyse the meanings of linguistic units at the word, phrase and sentence level, as well as how to test them using basic linguistic tests.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

  • To introduce students to foundational concepts in the study of meaning

  • To foster students’ awareness of different levels of meaning (semantic and pragmatic) and the interactions between them

  • To develop students’ critical reading skills of academic literature

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • understand the roles of semantics and pragmatics in the construction of meaning

  • understand some key milestones in the development of semantic and pragmatic theory

  • apply linguistic tests for different inferences and other aspects of meaning

Module content

This module will cover a variety in foundational topics in semantics and pragmatics, including truth theory, reference, quantification, Gricean Pragmatics, and more.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
OPEN1B : Foundations of Meaning		 4 hours 60

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Ongoing formative feedback will be given automatically via the VLE. For the formative essay you will receive individual written feedback.

For summative assessments you will receive individual written feedback within the university mandated time limit.

Indicative reading

  • Birner, B. J. (2023). Meaning: semantics, pragmatics, cognition. Taylor & Francis

  • Elbourne, P. (2011). Meaning: a slim guide to semantics. Oxford University Press, USA

  • Portner, P. (2005). What is meaning?: Fundamentals of formal semantics. Wiley-Blackwell


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.