Research Topic in Philosophy of Language

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Philosophy has at all times been concerned with the question of what role language plays for knowledge, for grounding and for how we perceive the world around us. Recently, questions about linguistic meaning and reference and about the relation between language, communication, logic, thinking, experience and fiction have been central issues. Since the beginning of the last century, many have also seen linguistic analysis as the basic method of philosophy. Thus, it is essential to be conversant with modern philosophy of language in order to orientate oneself in contemporary philosophy.

FIL345 will give students an overview of important basic concepts, arguments and positions in philosophy of language. The main focus is on issues in contemporary philosophy, but it will often be relevant to start from philosophical works and positions from older times.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the students will be able to convey central theories and problems within the philosophy of language and see the relevance of these in other contexts. The course will provide a basis for further studies in philosophy at bachelor level.

Skills:

After completing the course, the students will have a good knowledge of important basic concepts, arguments and positions in modern philosophy of language.

Competence:

After completing the course, the students should be knowledgable of and be able to convey insight into basic problems and arguments within the philosophy of language in different contexts.

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Fall in odd year

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor degree with 90 credits specializing in philosophy or equivalent.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
A good proficiency in English is necessary since it ought to be assumed that much of the prescribed reading will be in English.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
FIL345 overlaps 10 credits with FIL245.html">FIL245 (Philosophy of Language).
Access to the Course
This course is open to students who have been admitted to the Master's programme in philosophy. All other students require permission in order to register for this course. Please contact studieveileder@fof.uib.no to apply.
Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.

The number of gatherings may be reduced if the number of students attending the course is less than 4. In that case, the students will be compensated with individual or group tutoring.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

An approval of compulsory requirements is valid for three semesters, including the semester in which the approval is given.

  • Students must submit a proposal and draft of their semester assignment. Deadlines are set by the department.
  • Students must attend a supervision session with the instructor.
Forms of Assessment

A semester assignment paper of 4000- 6000 words (not including table of contents, list of references etc.) The topic of the paper must be approved in advance by the teacher of the course. The semester assignment paper will be assessed at the end of the semester.

The compulsory activities have to be formally approved before one can take an exam in the course.

Assessment in a semester without teaching follows the syllabus the previous semester the course had teaching.

Grading Scale
From A to F
Reading List
There is a fixed reading list which the student, in cooperation with the teacher, is supposed to supply with additional reading.
Course Evaluation
The teaching will be evaluated from time to time.