Advanced Studies in Meaning

Subject LING40010 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: A 2 hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week, an additional 8 hours/week. Total 10 hours/week.

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None.

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None.

Non Allowed Subjects:

Formerly available as 175-037/335. Students who have completed 175-037 or 175-335 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Lesley Stirling

Contact

lesleyfs@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject is an introduction to one or more advanced theories of linguistic meaning, taken from the related areas of semantics and pragmatics. The specific topic to be covered will depend on who is teaching the subject in a particular year. Examples of topics which might be covered include: the way in which speakers use contextual information to interpret meaning in context. the interplay between semantics and pragmatics. semantic change. lexical semantics. or formal semantic theory. In each case a range of current issues in the theory of meaning will be considered and students will acquire skills in analysis and description within this theory. In 2010 the focus will be on formal approaches to theories of meaning.
Objectives:	comprehend a number of the major problems of analysis and description in the theory or theories of meaning under consideration. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the competing approaches which have been taken to these problems in linguistics and related disciplines such as philosophy. demonstrate skills in the analysis of meaning from within this theory / theories. be able to formulate meanings with precision and sensitivity. understand the role of context in enriching meaning. have refined their skills in definition, paraphrase and word choice.
Assessment:	3000 words of assignments 60% (due at regular intervals during the semester), a 2000-word take-home examination 40% (at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:	What is Meaning?: fundamentals of formal semantics (P Porter) Blackwell 2005
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	develop their skills in critical thinking and analysis. develop skills in written communication.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	English Language Studies Linguistics && Applied Linguistics Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

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