ENG4157 – Semantics and Pragmatics
Course description
Course content
The first part of this course is an introduction to the study of semantics on both word and sentence level. The second part gives insights into theories of language use, particularly the part of pragmatics dealing with how you communicate more than you literally say or write.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have:
- developed an understanding of the relationship between language and meaning on word, sentence and utterance level
- learned semantic theories about the understanding of different aspects of meaning in words, how they can be described, and how grammar and syntax contribute to meaning
- learned pragmatic theories about how language users achieve their goals in verbal interaction with others
Admission to the course
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.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English. The course assumes?ENG1100 - English Grammar or similar knowledge.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with ENG2157 – Semantics and Pragmatics.
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all.
Students are expected to attend all teaching. The quality of the teaching depends on active participation in all seminars.
Obligatory activities:
- Students are required to submit two short essays at appointed times. The essays must be approved by the course teacher for the student to be allowed to take the exam. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations.
Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
Examination
The obligatory requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exam.
The evaluation will be based on a take home exam spanning over 3 days.
You are required to write 6 standard pages minimum / 10 standard pages maximum (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters). This does not include references and bibliography. In the evaluation, both content and language are taken into account.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
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.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.