Studying at York
Introduction to Semantics - LAN00012C
- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
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
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
| Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 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).