Introduction to philosophical problems and theories concerning the nature of language. Topics typically include the notion of linguistic structure, theories of meaning and reference, names and descriptions, the relations between languages and thought, necessity and analytic truty, and conversational norms.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeFalvey is an interesting teacher, laid back and intelligent. Definitely good if you can keep up with his lectures, sometimes he's a little tangental but thats what makes him fun. He assigns fairly straightforward essays and tests, and while the texts werent impossible, the grading (via Tim Lewis) was ridiculously hard. Dif. TA, better luck.
Language philosophy was fascinating. Falvey is the best dressed most stylish teacher on campus. He has the attitude of cool hand luke and the mind of derrida. The sunglasses over the eye-glasses look is incredible. I learned a****load form lecture and discussion, but discussion was more clear. He laughs at himself a lot and makes philosophical jok
I still don't have my grade. I'm upset because this is literally the last PHIL course I needed to take for my major. I wanted to declare early and nowwwww idk I have a NG now. The Prof was genuinely unprepared most of the time. Pretty sure half the class dropped. The class was repetitive, would have been better with a diff Prof.
Lectures are not helpful, and the notes given along with the reading are disorganized. The course depends heavily on self-study, but the essays are fine as long as one finishes the readings. The most annoying part is that grades are released after the registered ddl without any announcement and with no clear score displayed for one essay and final.
The TA was a logician who graded papers as if there was a numerical scale you could use to evaluate philosophical understanding. Miss one minor concept, and boom, it goes from A to C. Lectures were so removed from the readings that they felt like separate ideas despite being about the reading. Also missed the grade deadline?? All-around messy class
Sent us an email that was very unprofessional towards T.A. because he gave us an "unauthorized extension," implied that he lied about it, and let us know there would be no further extensions in the course, then gave an extension on the next paper. Has now used an unauthorized extension herself in terms of submitting our grades after the deadline.