Objectives and competences
The objective of the course is to acquire
• To get an overview of the main theoretical approaches in modern linguistic theory and the areas of fruitful interdisciplinary research. The stress is put on contemporary theories and not on the historical overview.
• To acquire concepts and principles which connect linguistics and neighboring disciplines.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Here are some of the themes covered:
origin of language; language universals; language and cognition; how language exists in the speech community; the acquisition of language; is language innate or learned; what is the relationship of language and thought; how is language a guide to reality; are we prisoners of our language; how do we learn about things in the world, where and how words acquire their meanings; what is the relationship of language and thought; nominalism, mentalism and platonism in the philosophy of language and linguistics.
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures (traditional with student-participation encouraged, asking questions for clarification).
• Seminars (each student writes a seminar paper which is then presented in the classroom. Work group or work in pairs is possible depending on the assigned task)
• Close readings of some selected passages.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
After the completion of the course the student will acquire the following competencies:
• Practical skills in the analysis of different texts and critical evaluation of ideas.
• Communicative skills in essay writing andoral presentation and most importantly.
• Sensitivity for the interdisciplinary approach.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Transferable/Key Skills and other competences:
• Close reading of the texts
• Thinking in comparative terms
• Connecting ideas from different options
Readings
Aitchison, J. 1987. Words in the Mind: An Introduction to the mental Lexicon Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Chomsky, N. 1976. Reflections on Language. London: Temple Smith.
Downes, W. 1984. Language and Society. London : Fontana Paperbacks.
Pinker, S. 1994. The Language Instinct. London: Penguin Books.
Dodatni viri:
Bickerton, D. 1990. Language and Species. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Devitt and Sterelny. 1999. Language and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge: the MIT Press.
Prerequisits
Attendance of 80% and regular completion of coursework are required for taking the exam.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • Active participation in the classroom - 25%
• Discussion, oral presentation of seminar work - 25%
• Written exam - 25%
• Oral exam - 25%
