ASP326 - Language and Reality
Unit details
Year: | 2020 unit information |
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Important Update: | Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester. Last updated: 2 June 2020 |
Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online), CBD* |
Credit point(s): | 1 |
EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Cathy Legg |
Prerequisite: | Must have passed at least one ASP-coded level 2 unit |
Corequisite: | Nil |
Incompatible with: | Nil |
Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 2-hour seminar per week |
Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 2-hour seminar per week (recordings provided) |
Note:*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery |
Content
How do we know what someone else's words mean? How does language "hook onto" the world in order to describe it? What is the connection between language and truth? Do different languages create different realities? If humans are distinguished from other animals by the way we use language, as many believe, what does this mean for human life? In addressing these questions, this unit will explore some influential theories about language developed by twentieth century philosophers, many of whom famously foregrounded philosophy of language as the gateway to all other philosophical problems. Focusing on key figures from both analytic and Continental philosophy such as Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Gadamer, Rorty, Brandom and Habermas, this unit will critically examine some of philosophy's recent approaches to the understanding of language and communication.
These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | ||
ULO1 | Explain and articulate different philosophical approaches to the philosophy of language across analytical and continental traditions in the twentieth century | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication |
ULO2 | Analyse and evaluate the relationship between language, thought and reality in the context of twentieth century philosophical debates on these themes | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
ULO3 | Communicate knowledge of philosophical ideas pertaining to language, including the distinction between sense and reference and theories of interpretation | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
Trimester 2:Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
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Assessment 1 (Individual) - Online Exercises | 600 words | 15% | Ongoing |
Assessment 2 (Individual) - Research and Writing Exercise | 1000 words | 25% | Week 8 |
Assessment 3 (Individual) - Essay | 2400 words | 60% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: ASP326 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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