To introduce students to key concepts and figures in the project of understanding natural language . To introduce students to the distinction between semantics and pragmatics and to speech-act theory. To introduce students to some contemporary applications of speech-act theory to topics in political philosophy.

(LO1) Students will be able to explain different accounts of the meaning and function of referring expressions.

(LO2) Students will be able to understand and apply the distinction between semantics and pragmatics.

(LO3) Students will be able to discuss competing philosophical accounts of the relation between meaning and use.

(LO4) Students will be able to explain and critically assess Grice’s theory of meaning and/or Austin’s speech-act theory.

(LO5) Students will be able to apply theoretical tools from philosophy of language to questions about free speech and harm in political philosophy.

(S1) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S2) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations

(S3) Information literacy online, finding, interpreting, evaluating, managing and sharing information

(S4) Literacy application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning

(S5) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S6) Self-management readiness to accept responsibility (i.e. leadership), flexibility, resilience, self-starting, initiative, integrity, willingness to take risks, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning

(S7) Problem solving skills

(S8) Organisational skills

(S9) Communication skills

Indicative content: Lecture 1: Language, Truth and Politics Lecture 2: Meaning and Reference I Lecture 3: Meaning and Reference II Lecture 4: Reference and Use I Lecture 5: Reference and Use II Lecture 6: Meaning and Conversation Lecture 7: Speech-Act Theory Lecture 8: Communication and Feminism in Philosophy of Language Lecture 9: Silencing and Pornography Lecture 10: Hate Speech Lecture 11: Language and Gender

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: 6 x 1 hour lecture, 1 every other week from week 1
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method 2 - Collaborative Learning
Description: Discussion forum. 11 x 2 hour forums, 20 students in each.
Attendance Recorded: Yes