SPR4103 – Semantics and Philosophy
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course covers core topics and analyses in formal, logic-based semantics: Composition, truth conditions, model theory, quantification, definiteness, events, tense and aspect, modality and possible worlds, presuppositions.
Learning outcome
Students acquire basic knowledge of how the meanings of complex expressions are built from the meanings of the parts, and they become familiar with elementary methods to deal with well-known problems in the philosophy of language. They develop their capacity to comprehend the research literature and to apply semantic theory in their master’s thesis.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students have to be admitted to Master studies in Language or Philosophy.
Recommended previous knowledge
Students will benefit from basic knowledge of grammar (i.e. corresponding to the learning outcomes of EXFAC03-SPR – Examen facultatum, språkvitenskap) or logic (i.e. corresponding to the learning objectives of FIL1004 – Innføring i logikk og språkfilosofi (discontinued)).
Teaching
The course is taught in weekly seminars with 2 classes per week for 12 weeks. Students will review and discuss selected readings and do exercises. Each student is required to give a presentation on a topic relevant to the term paper and approved by the teacher.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Each student composes a term paper of 8-10 pages á 2300-characters. The topic may vary from student to student and must be approved by the teacher.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.