Course: Semantics

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Course title Semantics
Course code KGN/92ASE
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Doctoral
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction German
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Krappmann Marie, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Rinas Karsten, prof. PhDr. Mgr. Dr.
Course content
The course concentrates on following partial topics: - Introduction: definition of basic terms, research object of Semantics,definition of the term Meaning, methodological problems, intersections with other linguistic disciplines - Historical roots of reflections about the notion "meaning", the problem of Arbitrarity, the Conventionality in the model of the Language Sign - Componential analysis, Semantic Fields, Gaps in the Lexical Fields (Lyons) - The structure of the Mental Lexicon, the function of memory, correlations between Psycholinguistics and Semantics (Aitchison) - Theories of Reference: Extension, Intension, the function of Engramms (Ogden, Richards) - The correlations between Semantics and Pragmatics on the base of Deixis - Semantics on the level of Phrases - Historical Semantics (Fritz)

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
Learning outcomes
The course offer an overview about the different research approaches in the field of Semantics. The goal is to infrom the students about following partial topics: - Historical roots of reflections about the notion "meaning" - Componential analysis - The structure of the Mental Lexicon - Theories of Reference: Extension, Intension - The correlations between Semantics and Pragmatics on the base of Deixis - Semantics on the level of Phrases - Historical Semantics
The course provide an overview of different models of Language Sign such as the concept by Saussure, Peirce or Jacobson. Then we will spicify the various approaches on the lexical, syntactic and textual level, including the complexe level of discourse. Beside the problems of the Synchronic Semantics we will discuss general questions connected to the research in the field of Historical Semantics such as the typology of diachronic semantic changes. The students will have insight into various theoretical approaches such as Structuralism, Generative Semantics or Formal Semantics. After having finished the course the students will have a general overview of relevant literature and of fundamental trends in the research in the field of Semantics.
Prerequisites
The course is intended for students of German Studies - Doctoral study program.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance

Active participation on the seminar, continuous work on the tasks.
Recommended literature
  • Aitchison, Jean. (1997). Wörter im Kopf: eine Einführung in das mentale Lexikon. Tübingen.
  • Fritz, Gerd. (2005). Einführung in die historische Semantik. Tübingen.
  • Lyons, John. (1988). Semantik. Bd. I.. München.
  • Ogden C. K. / Richards I. A. (1974). Die Bedeutung der Bedeutung. Eine Untersuchung über den Einfluß der Sprache auf das Denken und über die Wissenschaft des Symbolismus. Frankfurt am Main.
  • Pohl, Inge (Hrsg.). (2008). Semantik und Pragmatik - Schnittstellen.. Frankfurt am Main.
  • Polenz, Peter von. (1985). Deutsche Satzsemantik: Grundbegriffe des Zwischen-den-Zeilen-Lesens.. Berlin.
  • Schwarz, Monika. (2004). Semantik: ein Arbeitsbuch.. Tübingen.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Language (2021_2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Language (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Language (2021) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Language (2021) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Language (12) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -