Fundamentals of Meaning (370-0-1)

Instructors

Michael Tabatowski

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G32: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Theoretical approaches to the study of linguistic meaning. Formal topics include propositional and predicate logic, the lambda calculus, and model theory; linguistic phenomena explored include quantification, modification, possession, and intensionality.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite: any 200 level course in linguistics, graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1) understand and explain core issues in semantics and pragmatics; 2) use the tools of formal semantics to model natural language meaning; and 3) read contemporary papers in semantics on a variety of phenomena.

Teaching Method

Lecture.

Evaluation Method

Class participation, weekly or biweekly homework, a midterm, and a final paper or exam.

Class Materials (Required)

All assigned reading will be available to students on Canvas

Class Attributes

Formal Studies Distro Area