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77450-01 - Seminar: Philosophical Perspectives on Language and Language Use (With a Contemporary View on the Media and Public Discourse) (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | |
| Content | This course explores how language shapes thought, power, and public life. Beginning with foundational questions in the philosophy of lan-guage—such as reference, word meaning, and speaker meaning—we then examine how lan-guage is used strategically in media, politics, and everyday interaction. From political speeches to advertising, from news headlines to sitcom punchlines, we ask: How does language frame reality, enforce ideologies, or exclude perspec-tives? Students will gain tools to critically analyze language use with linguistic and philosophical insight. |
| Bibliography | We’ll read classic texts in semantics and pragmat-ics alongside thinkers like Noam Chomsky on media manipulation and the manufacturing of consent and Jason Stanley on propaganda and fascism. Key topics include reference, speaker meaning, presupposition, implicature, metaphor, speech acts, generics, stereotypes, humour, and the ethics of language use. Readings will be paired with case studies drawn from journalism, political campaigns, commercials, and popular sitcoms, allowing us to test theory against the language of the real world. |
| Comments | Dozentin: Dr. Hadil Karawani |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 19.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 26.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 181 |
| Friday 03.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 10.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 17.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 24.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 31.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 07.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 14.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 21.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 28.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Dies Academicus |
| Friday 05.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 12.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Friday 19.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Modules |
Modul: Probleme der Theoretischen Philosophie (Bachelor's degree subject: Philosophy) Modul: Theoretische Philosophie (Master's degree subject: Philosophy) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Philosophie |