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PH2532: DOING BAD THINGS WITH WORDS: PHILOSOPHY AND HARMFUL SPEECH (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:30


Course Overview

In this course you will learn about recent research in which tools and methods developed in Philosophy of Language and Linguistics are applied to imperfect or ‘bad’ language use—e.g. lying, bullshitting, silencing, harmful speech, confusion over consent (or the lack thereof), etc. Students will learn about key theories in these areas, apply them to real life case, and reflect on how such ‘bad language’ should be managed, if at all.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Gerard Hough

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 2 or Master Of Arts In Philosophy, Politics And Economics
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PH1032 Doing Bad Things with Words: Philosophy and Harmful Speech (Passed)
  • PH1532 Doing Bad Things with Words: Philosophy and Harmful Speech (Passed)
  • PH2032 Doing Bad Things with Words: Philosophy and Harmful Speech (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

One of the defining characteristics of Analytic Philosophy over the last 100 years is the use of tools and methods from Philosophy of Language and Linguistics to address philosophical problems. This is now a common approach in many key areas of ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. A recent development in this tradition is the application of these tools to the analysis of what we might call ‘bad language’ and the ethical aspects of language use. This course introduces students to work in this area.

The course aims are two-fold – to introduce students to the philosophical study of language and to allow students apply some of the methods of contemporary philosophy of language to important real-world cases and issues like lying and deception in public office, the restriction of harmful and offensive speech, and issues of explicit and implicit consent in a variety of circumstances including sexual consent.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Tutorial participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Evaluated using ‘questions for consideration’ method—Norlock (2016)

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandStudents will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the key points of the theories/analyses of the linguistic phenomena studied.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will be able to efficiently prepare for and contribute to class discussion.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Individual feedback on MyAberdeen.

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be able to develop an informed critical response to one of the theories/analyses of the linguistic phenomena studied or analyse a specific case informed by the academic literature
FactualUnderstandStudents will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the key points of the theories/analyses of the linguistic phenomena studied.

Three online tests

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Test taken on MyAberdeen. Grades and correct answers released on MyAberdeen after submission deadline.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandStudents will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the key points of the theories/analyses of the linguistic phenomena studied.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Individual feedback via MyAberdeen.

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandStudents will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the key points of the theories/analyses of the linguistic phenomena studied.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will be able to efficiently prepare for and contribute to class discussion.
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be able to develop an informed critical response to one of the theories/analyses of the linguistic phenomena studied or analyse a specific case informed by the academic literature

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