ANU - STUDYAT - Semantics

Offered By:

School of Language Studies

Academic Career:

Undergraduate

Course Subject:

Linguistics

Offered in:

First Semester, 2010

Unit Value:

6 units

Course Description:

The course introduces students to the basic problems in the study of meaning, in all areas of language (vocabulary, grammar, discourse). Students learn how to formulate and test hypotheses about what a word, an expression or a construction means, how to state this meaning in a clear, precise and illuminating way, and how to compare meanings across languages and cultures. They also learn how the study of meaning can provide analytical tools for clear thinking and for deeper conceptual exploration of ethical and social issues, as well as for better understanding of ways of thinking reflected in different languages.

Learning Outcomes:

Students gain a clear understanding of the theoretical issues involved in meaning analysis and a good grounding in practical skills of semantic analysis. They also acquire improved language and communication skills, such as an ability to explain and articulate complex ideas and thoughts clearly and effectively. They learn to communicate ideas to people of different cultural backgrounds and to understand ways of thinking reflected in ways of speaking across languages and cultures.

Indicative Assessment:

Class participation (10%), one assignment (10%), one test (15%), essay (30%), exam (35%)

Workload:

The course consists of 3 hours of lectures per week from Week 1 - Week 9, and 2 hours of lectures per week in weeks 10-13. There are no tutorials.

Assumed Knowledge and
Required Skills:

No assumed knowledge or skills

Requisite Statement:

Introduction to the Study of Language LING1001/LING2001 or Cross-Cultural Communication LING1021/2021, or with permission of Lecturer.

Prescribed Texts:

Goddard, Cliff. 1998. Semantic Analysis: A practical introduction. Oxford: OUP.

Indicative Reading List:

Wierzbicka, Anna. 2006. English : Meaning and culture. New York : OUP.

Majors/Specialisations:

Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, and International Communication

Other Information:

This course is required for Honours in Linguistics.

Academic Contact:

Prof. Anna Wierzbicka

Semantics LING2008 - Details