FIL1004 Language and Communication
- Course codeFIL1004
- Number of credits10
- Teaching semester2026 Spring
- Language of instructionEnglish
- CampusLillehammer
- Required prerequisite knowledge
None
Language allows us to gain information about the world and interact with other people. This course asks questions such as: What is language and meaning? In what sense are words about things in the world? What determines the meanings of words? What is it to communicate with language and to understand it? How can language be used to achieve goals, such as promising, commanding, making vows or declaring a pandemic? How can language be misused in a society, for example in media or politics?
This course introduces key areas in the philosophy of language – also drawing on resources from linguistics and psychology – that concern language, meaning and communication, and discusses more in-depth some selected topics.
The first part of the course focuses on:
- What language is
- What meaning is and how it is determined
- The relation between meaning, truth and the world
- The difference between literal and intended meaning
- The role of context in communication
- How language can be used to imply things beyond what was said and to achieve goals beyond communicating
An in-depth introduction to one or several selected areas (may be subject to change from one year to another):
- The relation between language and mind
- Language as a foundation for thinking and rationality
- How language can be misused in a society, looking at selected linguistic phenomena of high social importance, such as hate speech or propaganda
- How we experience language and the speaker
- The role of trust in communication
Learning Outcome
Upon passing the course, students have achieved the following learning outcomes:
The student
- has knowledge of central areas and problems in the philosophy of language concerning language, meaning and communication, such as what meaning is and how it is determined; the relation between meaning, truth, and the world; the difference between literal and intended meaning
- has knowledge of prominent theories and arguments to address these problems
- is familiar with central methods used in the philosophy of language
- is familiar with selected classical texts in the philosophy of language
- has knowledge of selected important and currently debated issues concerning language, meaning and/or communication
- has knowledge of selected important issues concerning how language and/or communication relate to larger societal debates
The student
- can explain central problems and debates in philosophy concerning language, meaning and communication
- can discuss and evaluate different solutions to these problems
- can articulate and defend their own viewpoints and positions regarding these problems
- can adjust their professional practice in response to feedback and supervision
- can apply their knowledge in the philosophy of language to other (professional and public) debates
- can write an analytic and argumentative text in the philosophy of language
- can orient themselves in the relevant literature, both primary and secondary, and follow standard professional norms of attribution and reference
The student
- understands how philosophical issues concerning language, meaning and communication relate to larger societal debates
- can discuss complex problems, both orally and in writing
- can plan and carry out independent academic work
- is familiar with novel ideas and innovation processes in philosophy
- respects professional, individual and cultural differences and contributes to inclusion and diversity in order to develop good academic practice
The course comprises lectures, seminars, student presentation and essay writing.
- The lectures introduce and explain problems, theories and arguments in the philosophy of language concerning language, meaning and communication.
- Topics from lectures are elaborated in the seminars through active student participation, exercises, presentations and discussions.
- The syllabus literature includes textbooks, supported by book chapters and selected academic and newspaper articles.
All students must complete three mandatory assignments during this course:
- One written assignment is a short (length to be determined in class) exercise or response paper based on lectures and/or readings.
- One in-class presentation on a topic chosen in consultation with the course instructor.
- The last assignment is longer (length to be determined in class) and intended as a preparation for the exam essay.
All assignments must be accepted by the course instructor.
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written assignment | ECTS - A-F | Individual | 100% | Nærmere informasjon om tillatte hjelpemidler blir gitt ved oppstart av undervisningen. |
Paper on a topic approved by the course instructor. Often, but not necessarily, this paper will be a further development of the last mandatory written assignment. The length of the exam paper will be announced at the beginning of class.