Advanced Semantics & Pragmatics – LING 600

Course Description

Rationale

Rational and disciplined thinking are essential requirements for meaningful interaction mediated through language. An inquiry into the sub-disciplines of Semantics and Pragmatics offers the student both the breadth and depth of understanding required for the development of a methodical assessment of meaning in language use in a variety of contexts.     

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will discuss course materials through a thread focused on the material presented in the course. For each discussion, the student will create a thread of 400 words in response to prompts provided on specific aspects of the course. In addition, each student will respond to 2 of his/her classmates; each reply of 150 words, will address the issues raised by his/her classmates. Both components of the discussions must conform to the standards of scholarly writing following APA style. The following are the discussion assignments in this course:  

• Discussion: The Study of Meaning
• Discussion: Types, Dimensions of Meaning and Compositionality
• Discussion: Word Meaning and Concepts
• Discussion: Sense Relations and Componential Analysis
• Discussion: Grammatical Meanings, Reference, Deixis, and Speech Acts

Language Analysis Assignments (5)

Each language analysis assignment is comprised of two parts: a set of short exercises dealing with specific aspects of each area covered and a written essay of 500 words in response to the prompts provided. Each essay should refer to at least three scholarly works, and conform to the standards of scholarly writing following APA style:

• Language Analysis: Meaning and Compositionality Assignment
• Language Analysis: Word Meaning and Concepts Assignment
• Language Analysis: Sense Relations and Componential Analysis Assignment
• Language Analysis: Meanings of Major Grammatical Categories Assignment
• Language Analysis: Reference, Deixis and Speech Acts Assignment 

Term Paper Assignments (2)

The student will research a topic of his/her interest on any aspect of Semantics or Pragmatics (cognitive theories of meaning, prototype theory and identity, the phenomenon of absolute synonymy in languages, politeness culture in different languages, pragmatics of naming, person deictic in political discourse etc.) and write a research paper of between 12 and 15 pages. The paper should demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the topic selected as well as in depth analysis of the related issues by synthesizing information from not less than 12 sources. The research paper should adhere to APA style: 

• Term Paper: Initial Draft Assignment
  • The initial draft will consist of the abstract and a full introduction in which the research question and the thesis of the paper are well articulated. The draft will also provide a preliminary bibliography of 12-15 major and current sources on the topic in APA style.
• Term Paper: Final Draft Assignment
  • The final paper will have the structure of a research paper and demonstrate sound analysis of the question/problem raised and logical inferences drawn from sources consulted. The paper will also reflect corrections and suggestions recommended in the initial draft for improving it.

Quizzes (5)

Each quiz will cover the learn material for the assigned modules. Each quiz, which will comprise 10 multiple choice, short answer, matching and fill-in-the-blank questions will be open book and open notes and have a 30-minute time limit.

Quiz: Mid-Term Comprehensive Exam

This quiz will cover learn material from the first three modules. It will be open-book and open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice, short-answer, multiple-answer, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and 2 short essay questions and will have a 1-hour and 40-minute time limit.

Quiz: Final Exam

This quiz will cover learn material from Modules 4-8. It will be open-book and open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice, short-answer, multiple-answer, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and 2 short essay questions and will have a 1-hour and 40-minute time limit.