2020-2021 / LING0012-1

Semantics

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in linguistics (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : general (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (60 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : general (60 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Julien Perrez

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course, devoted to the study of meaning in language, will tackle current issues in (lexical) semantics and pragmatics. The following issues will more specifically be discussed (non-exhaustive list):

  • the relation between language and thought;
  • the notions of ambiguity and vaugueness;
  • the notions of conceptual and lexical categories;
  • the notion of polyseymy;
  • sense relations;
  • the notions of prototypicality and salience;
  • the theory of conceptual metaphorss;
  • the theory of frame semantics;
  • speech acts;
  • the notions of reference and deixis;
  • the notion of multimodality
  • ...

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Knowledge of the basic notions of modern semantics and ability to apply them to solve precise problems.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

No specific prerequisites

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theoretical sessions.
Some exercises will be prepared at home and corrected in class.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face. 30 hours; 1st semester;

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

The course will be given at a distance if the health situation is evolving towards orange code.

Recommended or required readings

The course will based on the following textbooks:

  • Geeraerts, D. (2010). Theories of Lexical Semantics. Oxford: OUP.
  • Cruse, A. (2011). Meaning in Language. Oxford: OUP.
  • Croft, W. & Cruse, A. (2004). Cognitive Linguistics. Cambridge: CUP.
Some scientific articles (most of the time in English) will also be anlayzed to further illustrate some specific questions discussed in the classroom. 

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

The evaluation will consist of the redaction and presentation of an original research paper. 

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

An active participation of the students is expected (questions or comments on the lecture notes or the book chapters, looking for concrete examples, etc.).

Contacts

Julien Perrez, assistant professor
https://my.uliege.be/portail/TR/view2.do?as_codULg=U214827
Department of modern languages: linguistics, literature and translation studies Place Cockerill 3 bureau: A2/5/17 (5è étage du bâtiment A2) Tél.: +32 4 3665837 Julien.Perrez@uliege.be
Office hours by appointment

Items online

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