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Course Code: 
PHIL 382
Course Type: 
Area Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Laboratuvar Saati: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
6
Course Language: 
English
Course Objectives: 
The aim of this course is to discuss the significance of questions of language for the human being together with their logical and philosophical implications through a study of the problems of language, meaning and signification.
Course Content: 

The examination of the writings of Frege on the logical structure of language and on the theory of meaning (Foundation of Arithmetic; On Function and Concept; On Concept and Object: On Sense and Reference). Russell’s theory of meaning (On Denoting; Theory of Types). Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. The study and analysis of fundamental concepts of logic: sentence, proposition, analytic, synthetic, meaning, reference, truth, identity, logical form, propositional attitudes, opacity of reference. Theories of truth (correspondence, coherence, semantical,..).

Course Methodology: 
1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion, 4: Exercises
Course Evaluation Methods: 
A: Testing, B: Experience, C: Homework

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course a student:

Program Learning Outcomes

Teaching Methods

Assessment Methods

1) recognizes the main problems of the philosophy of language.

1, 2, 7, 9

1, 2, 3

A, C

2) grasps the main arguments of classical and contemporary philosophers about meaning and signification.

1, 2, 7, 9, 10

1, 2, 3

A, C

3) relates the philosophical discussion about language and the research in linguistics and semiotics.

1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

1, 2, 3

A, C

4) determines the relations between questions of meaning and other logical and philosophical problems.

1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

1, 2, 3

A, C

5) gains substantial knowledge about the philosophies of Peirce, Frege, Russell, Dilthey and Wittgenstein.

1, 2, 7, 9, 10

1, 2, 3

A, C
 
 

Course Flow

Week

Topics

Study Materials

1

Introduction: What are the questions about language and why do they matter?

-

2

The rise of contemporary logic, linguistics and semiotics: C. S. Peirce

Peirce papers

3

The rise of contemporary logic: Frege’s philosophy of logic.

Frege papers

4

Russell’s response: On Denoting.

“On Denoting”

5

Wittgenstein’s Tractatus: language and the world.

Tractatus

6

Other lines of studying language: Dilthey’s hermeneutics.

Dilthey papers

7

Midterm Exam

  

8

Other lines of studying language: Saussure’s linguistic theory.

Courses

9

Semiotic research: Hjelmslev, Jakobson and Barthes

Excerpts

10

Structuralism

Excerpts

11

Wittgenstein’s Investigations: language games.

Investigations

12

Wittgenstein’s Investigations: private language argument.

Investigations

13

State of the art: the main problems of analytical philosophy of language.

Excerpts

14

State of the art: the main problems of continental philosophy of language.

Excerpts

15

Final Exam

-
 
 

Recommended Sources

Textbook

  

Additional Resources

G. Frege, “Über Sinn und Bedeutung”, any version.

B. Russell, “On Denoting”, any edition.

C. S. Peirce papers at http://www.cspeirce.com/

L. Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, any edition.

L. Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations, any edition.

F. de Saussure, Cours de linguistique générale, any edition.
 
 

Material Sharing

Documents

Excerpts from Dilthey, Hjelmslev, Jakobson, Barthes, structural semioticians, current analytical and continental papers.

Assignments

  

Exams

  
 
 

Assessment

IN-TERM STUDIES

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

Midterm

1

30

Assignments

2

30

Final

1

40

Total

 

100

CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE

 

40

CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE

 

60

Total

 

100
 

 

COURSE CATEGORY

Area-Specific Courses
 
 

Course’s Contribution to Program

No

Program Learning Outcomes

Contribution

1

2

3

4

5

1

Grasps the fundamental concepts and analytical methods necessary to succeed in academic studies in the field of philosophy.

      

X

  

2

Acquires a versatile critical and analytical approach, and problem-solving, interpretative and  argumentative skills necessary for a successful career in philosophy.

      

X

  

3

Communicates effectively, is specifically successful in written and oral presentation, has proper capacities for teamwork and interdisciplinary studies, takes the initiative, has developed a sense of responsibility, contributes original ideas to the field of philosophy, and is loyal to ethical principles.

      

X

  

4

Reaches the perfection of pursuing professional and personal development by using all means of knowledge with a view to lifelong learning.

    

X

    

5

Develops a consciousness of professional and social ethics.

  

X

      

6

Gains the skills of choosing and developing contemporary means required in philosophical applications as well as using computing technologies effectively.

    

X

    

7

Acquires substantial knowledge of the history of philosophy.

        

X

8

Learns a classical and at least one modern foreign language so as to read the historical texts of philosophy in the original.

    

X

    

9

Pinpoints, recognizes, grasps and discusses the problems of philosophy within their context in the history of philosophy.

        

X

10

Develops  perfection in reading, understanding and analyzing philosophical texts in different languages.

      

X

  
 
 

ECTS

Activities

Quantity

Duration
(Hour)

Total
Workload
(Hour)

Course Duration (Including the exam week: 15x Total course hours)

15

4

60

Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)

12

4

48

Mid-terms

1

10

10

Assignments

2

10

20

Final examination

1

15

15

Total Work Load

 

 

153

Total Work Load / 25 (h)

 

 

6.12

ECTS Credit of the Course

 

 

6
 
 

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