VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HCMC

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
School of Languages

COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Name: Semantics
Course Code: EL025IU

1. General information

Course name - (in English) Semantics

- (in Vietnamese) Ngữ nghĩa học
Course This course introduces the fundamental concepts and methods used in the analysis
designation of natural language meaning, covering a range of semantic topics. Students will
engage with real language data, completing tasks and exercises that are both
philosophical and practical. These activities are designed to help students develop
a strong understanding of semantic terms and address various issues by analyzing
and synthesizing different semantic characteristics within the English language.
Course type ¨ General knowledge / College Foundation Courses
¨ Fundamental/ English Foundation courses & English Core courses
þ Specialized knowledge/ Specialization Core Courses & Specialization Electives
¨ Internship/Project/Thesis
¨ Others:……………………….
Semester(s) in 1
which the
course is taught
Person Dr. Nguyen Thi Quyen
responsible for Ms. Tran Doan Thu (M.A.)
the course
Ms. Nguyen Le Bao Ngoc (M.A.)
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Khanh (M.A.)
Language English
Relation to þ Compulsory
curriculum ¨ Elective
Teaching Lectures
methods Discussion
Problem solving
Quizzes
 Workload (incl. (Estimated) Total workload: 135 hours
contact hours, Contact hours (please specify whether lecture, exercise, laboratory session, etc.):
self-study 45 periods lectures
hours)
Private study including examination preparation, specified in hours1: 90 hours
Credit points 3 credits (Theory: 3 + Practice: 0)
4.62 ECTS (optional)
Number of Theory: 45
periods Practice: 0
Required and - Prerequisites: (Course code – Course name) None
recommended - Corequisites: (Course code – Course name) None
prerequisites for
joining the - Previous course (Course code – Course name) EL013IU - Introduction to
course Linguistics

Course The course aims to introduce students to the basics of semantics. It covers central
objectives topics in the analysis of word and sentence meaning and also reviews three
important semantic theories, namely componential theory, formal semantics and
cognitive semantics.
Course learning Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
outcomes Competency level Course learning outcome (CLO)
Knowledge CLO1: explain key concepts in various theories of
meaning, i.e., theories based on sense and reference,
componential semantics, lexical semantics, truth-
conditional semantics and cognitive semantics.
Skill CLO2: apply learned theories to critically analyze meaning
and meaning relations of words and sentences in novel
linguistic data.
CLO3: use accurate logical notations to characterize
meanings of simple and complex propositions
Attitude CLO4: critically defend a certain approach to or a theory
of meaning analysis
CLO5: display discipline, responsibilities, and ethical
practices as an individual and a team member in attending
class regularly and actively participating in class
activities

1
When calculating contact time, each contact hour is counted as a full hour because the organisation of the
schedule, moving from room to room, and individual questions to lecturers after the class, all mean that about 60
minutes should be counted.
 Content The description of the contents should clearly indicate the weighting of the
content and the level.
Weight: lecture session (3 hours)
Teaching levels: I (Introduce); T (Teach); U (Utilize)
Topic Weight Level
Basic concepts in meaning 1 I
Reference and sense 1 TU
Word and sentence meaning 2 TU
Sentence semantics 3 TU
Componential theory 3 TU
Formal semantics 3 TU
Cognitive semantics 2 T
Examination MCQs
forms Short answer questions
Problem sets
Study and Attendance: A minimum attendance of 80 percent is compulsory for the class
examination sessions. Students will be assessed on the basis of their class participation.
requirements Questions and comments are strongly encouraged.
Assignments/Examination: Students must have more than 50/100 points overall
to pass this course.
Reading list Textbook
[1] Saeed, J. I. (2021). Semantics (5th edition). John Wiley & Sons.
Co-textbook
[2] Hurford, J.R., Heasley, B., & Smith, M.B. (2007). Semantics: A Coursebook.
(2nd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Additional materials
[3] Riemer, N. (2010). Introducing Semantics. Cambridge University Press.
[4 Kroeger, P. R. (2023). Analyzing meaning: An introduction to semantics and
pragmatics. Language Science Press.
[5] Portner, P. (2005). What is meaning?: Fundamentals of formal semantics.
Blackwell.

2. Learning Outcomes Matrix (optional)

The relationship between Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) (1-44) and Program Learning
Outcomes (PLO) (1-7) is shown in the following table:

PLO
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
demonstrate select perform develop display the demonstrate adhere to
CLO an active appropriate English communicati competence the ability to discipline,
command of theories and teaching on strategies in using conduct responsibiliti
linguistic tools of lessons and in an languages scientific es, and
 theory and translation assessment international (English and research ethical
linguistic and by evaluating working a second effectively practices as
investigation interpreting various environment foreign and ethically an individual
in at least in their teaching by language) applying and a team
one area of translation- methodologi recognizing flexibly and appropriate member, in
linguistics. interpreting es and the successfully research both
(Knowledge) practice, with approaches, relationship for social, methods, professional
regard to the incorporating between academic, technology, and social
aesthetic Global language and and and critical settings.
values of Englishes culture and professional thinking. (Attitudes)
English perspective, analysing the purposes. (Skills,
literary and utilizing cultural (Skills) Attitudes)
works. relevant factors in
(Knowledge, techniques intercultural
Skills) and communicati
innovative ons in order
technology, to work
with respect effectively in
to individual multidiscipli
differences. nary teams.
(Knowledge, (Knowledge,
Skills) Skills)
1 X
2 X
3 X
4 X
5 X

*Use Bloom's Taxonomy

3. Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Learning
Week Topic CLO Assessments Readings
activities
[1] Chapter 1
Semantics: Preliminaries [2] Units 1-2
+ Semantics in a model of Lecture Quizzes
1 1
grammar Discussion Mid-term exam [4] Chapter 1
+ Some basic notions [5] Chapter 1

Meaning, thought and reality [1] Chapter 2

+ Reference and sense Lecture Quizzes [2] Unit 3, 4, 6, 8
2 1
+ Mental representations Discussion Mid-term exam
+ Words, concepts and thinking [3] Chapter 1
[1] Chapter 3
Word meaning Lecture Quizzes [2] Units 10-11
3 1, 2
+ Words and lexical relations Discussion Mid-term exam
[3] Chapter 5
[1] Chapter 4
Sentence relations and truth [2] Unit 9, Units 12-13
+ Logic and truth Lecture
Quizzes
4 + Sentence properties 1, 2 Discussion [3] Chapter 6
Mid-term exam
+ Entailment [4] Chapter 3
+ Presupposition

Sentence semantics (I): Lecture Quizzes [1] Chapter 5 (pp. 112-

5 1, 2
Situations Discussion Mid-term exam 129)
 + Situation types
+ Tense [3] Chapter 9
+ Aspect [4] Chapter 20

[1] Chapter 5 (pp. 134-

Sentence semantics (I): Lecture 145)
Quizzes
6 Situations (Con't) 1, 2 Discussion
Mid-term exam
+ Modality and Evidentiality [4] Chapters 16-17

[1] Chapter 6 (pp. 150-

Sentence semantics (II):
Lecture 166)
Participants Quizzes
7 1, 2 Discussion [2] Unit 20
+ Thematic roles Mid-term exam
+ Causation
[3] Chapter 10
Context and Inference
Lecture [1] Chapter 7 (pp. 189-
+ Deixis Quizzes
8 1, 2 Discussion 208)
+ Reference and context Mid-term exam
[2] Unit 5
+ Information Structure
Mid-term No class
Meaning components (I)
Lecture
+ Lexical relations in Quizzes [1] pp. 259-273
9 1, 3 Discussion
componential analysis Final exam [2] Units 18-19
+ Katz's semantic theory
Meaning components (II) Lecture
Quizzes
10 + Motion events 1, 3 Discussion [1] pp. 273-295
Final exam
+ Conceptual structure
Formal Semantics (I)
[1] pp. 305-321
+ Logical metalanguage Lecture
Quizzes [2] Units 14-15
11 + Quantifiers in predicate logic 1, 3 Discussion
Final exam
+ Checking truth-values of
sentences
[1] pp. 321-331
Formal Semantics (II) Lecture
1, 2, Quizzes [2] Unit 17
12 + Meaning postulates Discussion
3 Final exam
+ Natural language quantifiers
[4] Chapter 14
Formal Semantics (III)
Lecture [1] pp. 331-345
+ Intensionality 1, 2, Quizzes
13 Discussion
+ Dynamic approaches to 3 Final exam
[4] Chapter 15
discourse
Cognitive Semantics (I)
Lecture
+ Embodiment and schema 1, 2, Quizzes [1] pp. 353-376
14 Discussion
+ Polysemy, metaphor and 3 Final exam [2] Unit 27
metonymy
Cognitive Semantics (II)
+ Langacker's Cognitive
Discussion
grammar 1, 2,
15 In-class quiz [1] pp. 388-395
+ Construction grammar 3, 4
Reflection
Review

4. Assessment plan

Assessment Type CLO1 CLO2 CLO3 CLO4 CLO5

Attendance
Ongoing assessment Quiz 1 HW 1 Quiz 2 HW 2 score
(30%) 50% Pass 50% Pass 50% Pass 50% Pass
 50%Pass

Part 1 Part 2 & Part 3

Midterm exam (30%) 50% Pass 50% Pass
Part 1 Part 2 & Part 3
Final exam (40%) 50% Pass 50% Pass
Note: %Pass: Target that % of students having scores greater than 50 out of 100.

5. Rubrics
5.1. Ongoing assessment
- Attendance score (30 pts)
- Assignments (70 pts): In-class quizzes (40 pts); Home assignment (30 pts)

5.2. Mid-term examination

Part I. Theory (30 pts)
- MCQs

Part II. Practice (70 pts)

- Short answer questions

5.3. Final examination

Part I. Theory (30 pts)
- MCQs, True/False

Part II. Practice (70 pts)

- Short answer question

6. Date revised: 25/09/2024

7. Course coordinator/Lecturer: Dr Nguyen Thi Quyen

- School/Department: School of Languages
- Email: ntquyen@hcmiu.edu.vn
Ho Chi Minh City, --/--/2024
DEAN OF SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES
(Signature)

Dr. Vu Hoa Ngan