10283 - Philosophy of Language (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student has acquired an initial understanding of contemporary philosophy of language.

Course contents

Meaning and Society.
Introduction to Theories of Meaning and the Social Philosophy of Language

This course aims to address two central questions in the philosophy of language:

1. What is meaning?

2. What is the relationship between language and society?

3. How can we analyze contemporary phenomena involving the oppressive and discriminatory use of language?

Course Structure

The course is designed to provide theoretical and analytical tools to understand the nature of linguistic meaning and the role of language in communicative and social processes. To this end, the program is divided into two main modules.

Module 1 (Foundational Aspects – 10 hours): Theories of Meaning

This module introduces and discusses the main theories of meaning, focusing on different approaches that have emerged in the philosophy of language and cognitive sciences. In particular, it will examine:

1.1) Traditional theories, which relate meaning directly to objects or concepts;
1.2) Use theories, according to which meaning arises from linguistic practices;
1.3) Psychological theories, which connect meaning to speakers’ mental states;
1.4) Verificationist theories, which define meaning in terms of empirical verification conditions;
1.5) Truth-conditional theories, which describe meaning through truth conditions.

Module 2 (Social Aspects – 20 hours): Social Philosophy of Language

This module focuses on the social philosophy of language, analyzing how language operates within the context of social relations and communicative power. Topics will include:

2.1) The distinction between the implicit and the explicit;
2.2) The difference between lying and misleading;
2.3) Propagandistic language;
2.4) The use of generics and their discriminatory potential;
2.5) The use of derogatory epithets;
2.6) The relationship between language and sexual violence;
2.7) The dynamics of social media communication;
2.8) Strategies of counterspeech and linguistic protest;
2.9) The idea of conceptual engineering, namely the possibility of modifying concepts through linguistic practices;
2.10) The adoption of inclusive language.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings

Claudia Bianchi & Laura Caponetto, Filosofia sociale del linguaggio, Bari: Laterza, 2025

Lycan, William (2002) Filosofia del linguaggio. Un’introduzione contemporanea. Milano: Raffaello-Cortina, 2002, capitoli 5-13.

Optional, but recommended readings

Bianchi, Claudia (2021) Hate speech Il lato oscuro del linguaggio. Bari: Laterza.

Sbisà, Marina (2007) Detto non detto Le forme della comunicazione implicita. Bari: Laterza.

Teaching methods

Active Disciplinary Teaching

The course adopts an active learning approach to foster understanding through participation and group work.

Three Main Tools

• Peer Instruction during lectures

• Wooclap (https://wooclap.com ) to answer questions in real time

• Perusall (https://perusall.com ) for social reading [optional, in blended mode]

Course Format

• 30 hours of in-person (synchronous) teaching

• Optional blended mode: asynchronous activities on Perusall, with exam bonus for those who participate

Teaching Method: Peer Instruction

Developed by Eric Mazur (Harvard), this method enhances student interaction to improve comprehension.

Lesson Structure

Before the lesson

• Students read and comment on materials on Perusall

• The instructor reviews feedback to plan the session

During the lesson

• Short lectures or conceptual questions (ConceptTests)

• Individual responses via Wooclap

• Small-group discussion when needed

• Second response and guided class discussion

Wooclap responses are anonymous and do not affect the final grade.

Objectives

• Promote active and shared understanding

• Prepare lessons through reading and commenting

• Use peer discussion as a learning tool

Assessment methods

The final grade in the examination will be based on the evaluation of a written essay (also called 'paper') and an oral examination in which the essay will be discussed.

The length of the essay is:

(1) for those who have enrolled in Perusall and done all the assignments (attending students) short essay;
(2) for those who have not enrolled in Perusall or have not done all the assignments long essay (non-attending students).

Short essay length (for those who have enrolled in Perusall and have done all 4 assignments): at least 1000 words and no more than 2000 words (all inclusive: first name, surname, course of study, title, bibliography).

Length of long essay (for those who have not enrolled in Perusall or have not done all 4 assignments): at least 1500 words and no more than 2500 words (all inclusive: first name, surname, freshman, course of study, title, bibliography).

Formatting: double line spacing, font size 12
Electronic format pdf, doc or odt.

Essay topic: The choice of topic must be within the course content.

The reference bibliography consists of the texts covered in the course together with any secondary literature to be found in the syllabus bibliography that will be provided on Virtuale.

Submission:The essay must be submitted online on Compilatio (the link will be given on Almaesami at the same time as the roll call).

ERASMUS STUDENTS: erasmus students can write the essay in English and can make use of an equivalent bibliography in English.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

I will use these criteria to determine the following assessment thresholds:

30 and praise excellent proof, both in knowledge and in the critical and expressive articulation.

30 excellent test, complete knowledge, well articulated and correctly expressed, with some critical ideas.

27-29 good test, comprehensive and satisfactory knowledge, substantially correct expression.

24-26 discrete test, knowledge present in the substantial points, but not exhaustive and not always correctly articulated.

21-23 sufficient proof, knowledge present in a sometimes superficial way, but the general thread is understood. Short and often inappropriate and incomplete expression and articulation.

18-21 superficial knowledge, the common thread is not understood with continuity. The expression and the articulation of the discourse also have significant gaps.

<18 insufficient evidence, absent or very incomplete knowledge, lack of orientation in the discipline, defective and inappropriate expression. Examination not passed.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Virtuale [http://virtuale.unibo.it/], Wooclap [http://wooclap.com/], Perusall [http://perusall.com/]

Office hours

See the website of Sebastiano Moruzzi