80-880 Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy of Language

12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This is a graduate seminar exploring recent work in philosophy of language addressing uses of language with political/societal relevance. Readings will also draw on literature in cognitive psychology and linguistics. Topics may include implicit meaning and its effects, the semantics/pragmatics of slurs and dogwhistles, the nature of propaganda, and how accounts of cooperative linguistic interaction can be extended to accommodate linguistic behavior that is intentionally manipulative. The first few weeks of the seminar will be spent setting up the background theoretical frameworks that are needed to explore this literature.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2025

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