Undergraduate - UnitATS3674 - Semantics: the study of meaning in human languages

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Not offered in 2012
Coordinator(s)	Dr Alice Gaby

Notes

Previously coded LIN3310

Synopsis

Semantics is the study and representation of the meaning of every kind of constituent and expression in language, and also of the meaning relationships between them. Expressing meaning through language is deeply influenced by the social-interactive functions of language - demonstrated in the pervasive importance of the cooperative principle, common ground, and implicature. Semantic theory must explain how this is achieved by giving a demonstrably rational account of the structure of the meaningful categories and constructions of human language, their properties, interrelations, and motivations. This unit takes up the challenge to elucidate paths to that goal.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should be familiar with the fundamental concepts for linguistic semantics; be able to apply techniques and procedures, methods and skills presented in the unit in order to combine theoretical exegesis of several methods of inquiry with detailed semantic analysis; be equipped with the basic tools and skills needed to progress to original research in semantics.

Assessment

Written work: 95%
Class test: 5%

Contact hours

2 hour seminar per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Linguistics

Prerequisites

12 points in Linguistics or Philosophy at second-year level.

Prohibitions

ATS2674