00386 - Philosophy of Language

Learning outcomes

At the end of the classes, the student will be familiar with the main ideas of the contemporary philosophy of language and some related disciplines, including cognitive sciences and linguistics.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts. The first part aims to introduce contemporary philosophy of language, with particular attention to semiotic, analytic, and hermeneutic traditions. The second part is dedicated to the themes of social cognition and autism spectrum disorders. In this second part, in collaboration with Dr. Paolo Martinelli, some topics regarding specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc., will also be covered.

Readings/Bibliography

U. Eco, Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, Torino (solo i capitoli 1, 2 e 5).

"Come conosciamo gli altri", in S. Gallagher and D. Zahavi, La mente fenomenologica, Milano, Cortina.

G. Stella, La dislessia, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Teaching methods

Classes by the teacher and seminars together with the students

Assessment methods

Oral questions about the texts and the books listed above.

Exam sessions
During the 2025/2026 academic year, exam sessions are scheduled in the following months: January, March, June (two), September and December

Vote is assigned according to the following evaluation levels:

30 cum laude: excellent performance showing soundness of knowledge, rich discursive articulation, appropriate expression, interest of critical contribution;

30: Excellent performance, complete, and appropriate knowledge, well-articulated and appropriately expressed, with interesting critical contributions;

29-27: Good performance, more than satisfactory knowledge, correct expression.

26-24: Standard performance, essential knowledge, but not comprehensive and/or not always correctly expressed;

23-21: Sufficient performance, general but superficial knowledge; often inappropriate expression and/or confused articulation of speech;

20-18: Poor performance, sufficient expression and articulation of speech with significant gaps;

<18: Insufficient performance, knowledge absent or very incomplete, lack of orientation in the discipline, poor and seriously flawed expression.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students.
It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Digital and audio-visual supports

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Paolucci