MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Linguistics and Philosophy of Language
LQM36
20
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 7
X
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
None
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
None
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
X
Distance
Placement
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
X
Semester 2
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module This module will look at the central aspects of contemporary philosophy
content and/ or aims
and its relationship to the study of linguistics. More specifically, it will
Overview (max 80 words)
address a number of fundamental language groupings of intuitive
semantics, such as terms of referring expressions, demonstratives,
description, and so on, and will examine whether these have a place
within a developed semantic theory of natural language, and if so, what
place these language groupings may have.
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
School
Site/ campus where
delivered
Dr Jelena Timotijevic, Ken Turner
Humanities
Falmer
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Compulsory
MA Philosophy of Language
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
The aims for this module are set into the context of the QAA Framework
for Higher Education Qualifications and they relate to the SEEC level
descriptors for level 7 study:
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Learning outcomes

To examine the nature of the major concerns of philosophy and
their link to the study of linguistics and language

To explore, asses and examine whether and how a range of
language terms and groupings of intuitive semantics have a
place within a developed semantic theory of natural language

To acquire an advanced level of ability to examine some of the
most prominent concerns of modern philosophy, namely the
relationship between language and logic on the one hand and
mind on the other, thus with the organising notion that is
meaning
In relation to the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
and the SEEC level descriptors for level 7 study, by the end of the
module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of
philosophical approaches that examine relationships between
language and logic and language and mind, focusing on
meaning as the organising notion
2. Assess critically and evaluate controversial theoretical
perspectives that represent various semantic theories of
language, focusing specifically on the content covered: naming
and proper names, descriptions, reference, demonstratives,
etc.
3. Demonstrate originality in thought and ability to apply these
philosophical perspectives to the analysis of natural language
Content
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Learning support
Naming’ and proper names
Descriptions
Intensionality
Locating meaning; mind and meaning; ideas and
understanding
Demonstratives
Reference
Belief
Frege, Russell, Kripke
Abbott, B. (2010) Reference. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Brinck. I. (1997) The indexical ‘I’: the first person in thought and
language. London: Kluwer Academic.
Dummett, M. (1973) Frege: philosophy of language. London:
Duckworth.
Hawthorne, J. and D. Manley (2012) The Reference Book. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Evans, G. (1992) The Varieties of Reference. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Kotatko, P. and J. I. Biro (1995) Frege: sense and reference one
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
hundred years later. London: Kluwer Academic.
Keenan, E. I. (eds.) (2009) Formal Semantics of Natural Language.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kripke, S. (1990) Naming and Necessity. Basil: Blackwell.
McCulloch, G. (1992) The Game of the Name. Introducing Logic,
Language and Mind. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Powell, G. (2010) Language, Thought and Reference. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Russell, B. (1912) The Problems of Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford
University Press (2001) 2nd edn.
Soames, S. (2009) Philosophical essays. Vol. 2. The Philosophical
Significance of Language. Princeton, N. J.: Princeton
University Press.
Electronic Sources
A number of journal articles in linguistics and philosophy will be used as
reading materials for this module, and will be available as electronic
sources in addition to the journal articles provided by the University
library.
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
Contact Time: Tutor-led weekly classes, and student-led presentations.
Tutorial support is given for assessment.
Non-contact Time: Students’ independent study is guided by lists of
questions, bibliographies and specified tasks
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to
spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,
tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork,
external visits, and work-based learning.
20
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided independent study
which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
180
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University
that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
Assessment will be in the context of the University of Brighton
Assessment Policy and the Faculty Code of Practice in Assessment,
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
and students will be required to complete the following tasks:
A 4,000 word essay relating to the module content and to be agreed
with the tutor. (Weighting 100%) (LOs 1 – 3)
This will be marked on a percentage basis; pass mark is 50%.
Referral task: reworking of the original task.
Assessment Criteria
General criteria for assessment are framed by the SEEC descriptors for
level 7. Against specific criteria, credit will be awarded for:
1. Critical understanding of the nature of philosophical
approaches that examine relationships between language and
logic and language and mind, focusing on meaning as the
organising notion
2. The ability to critically assess and evaluate controversial
theoretical perspectives that represent various semantic
theories of language, focusing specifically on the content
covered: naming and proper names, descriptions, reference,
demonstratives, etc.
3. The ability to demonstrate originality in thought and ability to
apply these philosophical perspectives to the analysis of
natural language at an advanced level
All learning outcomes must be achieved in order to pass the module at
the threshold level.
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project
output, set exercise
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set
exercise
100%
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
PG Programme Linguistics and English language
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Prof. Daniel Kadar
Professor of Linguistics and
1st Jan. 2015
31st Dec.
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
2019
English language, University of
Huddersfield
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
n/a
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
n/a
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
Version number
2
Modules replaced
n/a
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Yes
X
No