PHIL 129
(GH)
Introduction to Philosophy of Language (3) Studies the nature of meaning in language, how we acquire language, communication, signs, and language as descriptive of reality.
PHIL 129 Introduction to Philosophy of Language (3)
(GH)
(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
This course, as with other 100-level philosophy department courses, is intended for Liberal Arts majors and others likely to take philosophy courses rather than for Philosophy majors. (The analogous course for majors is PHIL 429.) PHIL 129 will provide a critical survey of key concepts, problems, and figures in the history of philosophy of language and in contemporary studies in linguistic philosophy. The course will develop the student's analytical and critical skills through study of the philosophical and logical foundations of language systems and the role of language problems in relation to philosophical problems. Students will be encouraged to use the linguistic and logical tools they study in the course in evaluating the content of the arguments presented. As a general education humanities course, this class develops a broad, coherent overview of the nature of language, the philosophical assumptions and methodological commitments involved in theories of language, and the relation of language to reality. The class emphasizes the thought of major, influential figures and their works, such as Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Berkeley, Herder, Cassirer, Peirce, Carnay, Wittgenstein, Austin, Searle, and Rorty. Students will be graded on participation, three comparison/contrast papers, a position paper, a collaborative presentation, and a comprehensive final exam. PHIL 129 satisfies the GH requirement and it may be used to fulfill major and/or minor requirements in Philosophy. This course is offered every other year with an enrollment of 35-50 students.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.