Logic, Language & Politics

Teacher(s)

Pirlot Pauline (compensates Reuchamps Min); Reuchamps Min; Verdée Peter;

Language

English

Main themes

The topics approaches in this class will include:
- A quick overview of classical first order logic
- A quick overview of the standard philosophical analysis of language: syntax, semantics and pragmatics; reference, meaning and use.
- A selection of topics in modal logics for agent interaction: deontic logic, action logic and epistemic logic.
- A selection of topics in speech act theory.
- An analysis of how language operates in politics, e.g. the definition of rules of language use and how politicians seek to influence the use of language; the role of ' different ' language(s) in political discussions and negotiations; the role of linguistic devices (such as deictic) and in particular metaphors in the formation of political opinions; the analysis of political discourse via linguistic and socio-linguistic approaches.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The skills acquired in this class will include: - Mastering the basic concepts of logics and the key ideas in the contemporary philosophy of language - Be able to understand the methods in discourse analysis - Get some basic understanding of socio-linguistics - Get an understanding of the role and importance of language in politics - Be able to apply these concepts and methods to political objects - Be able to understand how specific concepts from applied logic and philosophy of language can be used to better understand interactions between political actors.

Content

The course will proceed as follows.
A) During the first half of the course we explore the theory behind some crucial concepts needed when analyzing language in politics

1. Sociolinguistics
   
2. Rhetorics
   
3. Discourse analysis
   
4. Semantics and truth
   
5. Pragmatics and speech acts
   
6. Propositional logic and fallacies
   

B) A written exam will take place in the middle of the quadrimester to test the students’ understanding of the theoretical concepts
C) The second half f the course is dedicated to the analysis of textual material, guided by the students (in group).
In practice, students will be involved since week 1. Here is how students' particiaption unfolds: 

• Each student proposes the political material (which should be textual material) they want to analyse;
•  Among the proposed texts, students in groups chose a major text (to be analysed through the theoretical lens developed by the professors) and a minor text (to respond to);
• About the major text: Each group of students hands in a written analysis of and sets of questions on their major text. An oral presentation followed by a discussion involving all students is organised before the end of the quadrimester. Students also hand an evaluation of the final paper and oral presentation of other groups; 
• About the minor text: Students answer the questions to their minor text;
• Each student hands in a final paper containing a report of every task they have performed for the course (including text analysis and reviews).

Teaching methods

The course is party theoretical (first half of the semester), partly practical (second half of the semester). Students will apply theoretical approaches and concepts, and be fully involved in the process of the course. They will produce papers, oral presetations and peer-reviews. Students themselves will produce the learning dynamic for a part of the course. 

Evaluation methods

Grade in June:
10/20 of the final grade: mid-quadrimester theoretical exam
4/20 of the final grade: group paper and oral presentation on the major text
4/20 of the final grade: answers on minor texts
2/20 of the final grade: final report on the review process
Grade in September:
10/20 of the final grade: oral exam
10/20 of the final grade: paper gathering 12 answers to the questions developed in class (6 on major texts, 6 on minor texts)

Other information

Depending on the evolution of sanitary conditions and consequently of the sanitary code, the teaching and evaluation mode will possibly change, in whole or in part, to remote mode via one or several computer tools provided by the University.  Students enrolled in the course will be informed by e-mail.

Faculty or entity

ESPO