Doing Things with Words
	Chris Robinson

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Presentation
This course will examine ideas by some of the major figures in contemporary philosophy in the English-speaking world, all of whom who were deeply involved in the study of language: C. Pierce, L. Wittgenstein, J.L. Austin, J. Serle, H.P. Grice, R. Rorty, G. Lakoff, and S. Kripke. Questions to be asked include: Why has recent philosophy taken a linguistic turn? How does this turn in the Anglo-American context compare with that in the French, German, or Italian? How has the contemporary philosophy of language contributed to other disciplines, such as literary theory, anthropology, psychology, and so on?

Teaching Objectives
1. To familiarize students with major figures in recent Anglo-American philosophy. 2. To compare the work of these philosophers with thinkers from other countries and/or those working in related disciplines. 3. To broaden reading skills and sharpen analytical ones. 4. To practice "speaking up" in a classroom environment.

Format
One meeting weekly of 3 hours during 7 weeks.

Course Content
Each week, the first half of class will be devoted to a discussion of an excerpt from a major work of philosophy in English. In the second half, students will choose to: (1) apply these ideas to a work of literature; (2) compare them with ideas in the work of continental philosophers such as J. Derrida or J.L Lyotard (France), A. Agamben or G. Vattimo (Italy), and M. Heidegger or H.G. Gadamer (Germany); or (3) relate them to other disciplines such as psychoanalysis, etc.

Teaching Methods
This class will be taught in the manner of a American university seminar, which means that students will contribute to both the content and form of the course.

Individual Work
Students should count on reading 10-15 pages per week. Class preparation and participation are mandatory. Required assignments will include an oral presentation and a typed essay.

Evaluation
Final grades will be based on class participation and writing assignments.

Recommended level
This course is beneficial to students with an intermediate or advanced level of English.

See other courses taught by Chris Robinson

last updated May 31, 2003

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