Professor Ilana Mushin
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course introduces students to linguistic semantics which deals with how meaning is encoded in language and how it can be analysed and represented.
NOTE: Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.
This course explores how meaning is encoded in language and how the relationship between linguistic forms, meaning and thought can be analysed and represented.
[subject to staffing requirements, this course is normally run in Semester Two each year.ﾠ However, adjustments may be made to the lecture program or reading list from one offering to the next.]
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course assumes a basic knowledge of syntax (sentence structure), semantics and pragmatics as presented in the Introductory Linguistics course LING1000 or equivalent course.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
LING1000
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LING7100
Course staff
Course coordinator
Dr Janet Watts
Lecturer
Dr Janet Watts
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice. Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
This course has the following aims:
i. To provide an introduction to the study of meaning in language;
ii. To compare various approaches to the study of linguistic meaning;
iii. To learn to distinguish different types of meaning encoded in and expressed by language;
iv. To compare the relationship between form, meaning and thought in different languages and to test the cross-linguistic validity of some claims about the relationship between form, meaning and thought in human languages;
v. To learn to analyse a range of linguistic examples by doing regular practical exercises involving a wide range of data.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Assessment 1: Things
|
10% |
22/08/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 4 The online assessment will be made available from 9am Thursday until 5pm Friday. Students will have an hour (60 minutes) to complete the assessment once they have started. |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Assessment 2: Events
|
10% |
19/09/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 8 The online assessment will be made available from 9am Thursday until 5pm Friday. Students will have an hour (60 minutes) to complete the assessment once they have started. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay
|
40% |
17/10/2025 4:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 11 |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
EXAM PERIOD |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Assessment 1: Things
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
22/08/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 4
The online assessment will be made available from 9am Thursday until 5pm Friday. Students will have an hour (60 minutes) to complete the assessment once they have started.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This problem set will cover the material in Unit 1: Things, presented during Weeks 1-4. It will consist of multiple choice, multiple answer, matching, short answer, and/or other formats not requiring lengthy written answers. The problem set will be delivered using Inspera Assessment, which provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types, accessibility provisions, and non-English languages.
AI and MT Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submitted through Inspera. For further details, including an introduction to Inspera functionality, practice opportunities, and where to go for support, please see: https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/assessments-inspera.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Maximum extension of 14 calendar days allows assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment 2: Events
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
19/09/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 8
The online assessment will be made available from 9am Thursday until 5pm Friday. Students will have an hour (60 minutes) to complete the assessment once they have started.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This problem set will cover the material in Unit 2: Events, presented during Weeks 5--8. It will consist of multiple choice, multiple answer, matching, short answer, and/or other formats not requiring lengthy written answers. The problem set will be delivered using a new assessment tool currently being rolled out at UQ, Inspera Assessment. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types, accessibility provisions, and non-English languages.
AI and MT Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit through Inspera
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Maximum extension of 14 calendar days allows assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Essay
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
17/10/2025 4:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 11
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
For this assessment, you will write an essay on a Semantics topic from one of the areas covered in Weeks 1-6.
You will be given a list of essay topics to choose from in Week 1.
The word limit for your essay is 2500 words (+/- 10%).
Suggestions for researching, structuring and writing your essay will be discussed in class.
AI and MT Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Maximum extension length is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
EXAM PERIOD
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This is a centrally-administered examination scheduled during the examination period at the end of semester.
The final assessment will focus on material from the third unit: Embodiment (Weeks weeks 9, 11, 12, 13). However, it will also cover material from the rest of the course (weeks 1-8).
AI and MT Statement
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment must be attempted in order to receive a 4 or higher in this course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
There is a Blackboard Site for this course on which lecture notes, weekly worksheets and other essential learning information will be posted regularly. Go to http://www.elearning.uq.edu.au/
ﾠ
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Week 1: Units of Meaning Week 2: Signs Week 3: Deixis Week 4: Semantic Features Week 5: Verbs and Participants Week 6: Time Week 7: Propositional Logic Week 8: Predicate Logic Week 9: Primary and Complex Metaphor Week 10: NO LECTURE (public holiday) Week 11: Semantic Typology Week 12: Thinking for Speaking Week 13: Gesture Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials Tutorials will cover the same topics as lectures in the same week. There are no tutorials in week 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.