PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE II

The course is intended for students enrolled in the three-year bachelor’s degree program in Literature and History (for students enrolled in the philosophy program, it is part of the core curriculum).

The course aims to provide, in particular, the following knowledge, competencies, and skills:

1) Knowledge and Understanding

- Knowledge of the discipline’s classical authors and the leading figures in contemporary debate
- Understanding of key texts in the discipline and key texts in contemporary debate
- Knowledge and understanding of specialized issues that have shaped the evolution of the philosophy of language

2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- Development of an independent approach and a critical-constructive attitude toward major philosophical-linguistic issues
- Ability to formulate arguments in support of a thesis
- Ability to develop examples and counterexamples
- Ability to distinguish the main theoretical alternatives regarding a specific philosophical-linguistic issue

3) Judgment:
- Ability to establish connections between seemingly unrelated issues and positions
- Ability to evaluate the consistency and plausibility of a philosophical-linguistic thesis, including through the examination of examples and counterexamples
- Ability to grasp and develop the theoretical and practical implications of the various available philosophical options.

The first module of this course (Philosophy of Language I) and/or a course in Philosophy of Communication.

LANGUAGE AS SOCIAL INTERACTION

The course aims to explore the relationship between language, action, and society through key authors and case studies from the 20th century and the contemporary era.

The course topics will be covered according to the following general timeline. In parentheses are the authors of reference for each topic, including both primary and secondary literature:

First week:
- Language as an object vs. language as an activity (Aristotle, W. von Humboldt, Wittgenstein)
- Philosophy of ideal language vs. philosophy of ordinary language (Wittgenstein, Marconi)
- Ideal and non-ideal philosophical theories of language (Beaver & Stanley vs. Cappelen & Dever)

Second and third weeks:
- The theory of speech acts: conventions and social reality (Austin)

Fourth and fifth weeks:
- Social philosophy of language and the social implications of speech acts (Bianchi & Caponetto):
lexemes: the case of slurs;
discourse: some forms of discursive injustice;
grammar: gender-fair language and social inclusion.

Selected sections of these texts—which will be announced at the beginning of the course—will be required reading:

J.L. Austin, "How do to things with words" (any edition)
L. Wittgenstein, "Philosophical Investigations (any edition)
C. Bianchi, L. Caponetto, "Filosofia sociale del linguaggio". (Laterza, 2025)
D. Belleri, "Semantica e pragmatica. Un'introduzione. Da Grice ai giorni nostri" (Clueb 2021)
M.P. Tenchini, A. Frigerio (2023). "Slur e atti linguistici multipli". Studi Italiani di Linguistica Teorica e Applicata, year LII, 2023, n. 1

In addition, there will be materials uploaded by the instructor to Moodle.

The standard exam format is oral. The oral exam is designed to assess students’ knowledge and mastery of the fundamental topics covered in class.

Students may, on a voluntary basis, submit a 3,000–4,500-word paper (excluding the bibliography) on a topic agreed upon in advance with the instructor; the paper must be submitted at least 6 days before the exam session for which the student intends to sit.
The paper will, in any case, be discussed orally on the day of the exam session.

oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Grade Range 18–22: Sufficient knowledge and understanding of the assigned texts and related topics; limited analytical and critical thinking skills; sufficient communication skills.

23–26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the assigned texts and related topics; fair analytical and critical thinking skills; fair communication skills.

27–30: Good or excellent knowledge and understanding of the assigned texts and related topics; good or excellent analytical and critical thinking skills; good or excellent communication skills.

30 with Honors: This grade will be awarded for excellent knowledge and understanding of the assigned texts and
related topics, accompanied by excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as excellent communication skills.

Lectures; seminars (interactive classroom discussions); occasional classroom presentations by students.
It is strongly recommended that students begin reading the texts in conjunction with the lectures.

Eligible students may contact the Office for Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders at this address: disabilita@unive.it
Ca’ Foscari complies with Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding the support services and accommodations available to students with disabilities or specific learning disorders. If you have a mobility, visual, or hearing disability or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disability (Law 170/2010) and require support (classroom assistance, assistive technology for taking exams or individualized exams, materials in accessible formats, access to lecture notes, specialized tutoring to support your studies, interpreters, or other services), please contact the Disability and Specific Learning Disorders Office at disabilita@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development