Course Information

CanvasPoll EverywhereFriday office-hours Zoom

Course Description

This course introduces students to a formal approach to natural language semantics and pragmatics. No mathematical skills beyond the high school level are presupposed. However, a previous logic course (such as PHIL 120) would be extremely helpful. To make the course material maximally accessible, we will emphasize natural language data and deemphasize precise formalization.

The issues and topics to be discussed in this course include the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, truth-conditional semantics, presuppositions, inference patterns, predicate logic, quantification, modality, NP/DP quantifiers (called “generalized quantifiers”), definite descriptions, de dicto/de re, tense and aspect, and events.

The class will be conducted through lectures and in-class discussion of exercises. We shall use Poll Everywhere to assess your learning progress. You are also required to work on quizzes and homework assignments online. There will be two online exams (midterm and final).

Prerequisite

LING 461 (Syntax 1) or equivalent. LING 200/400 is not sufficient. PHIL 120 is recommended (but not required).

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand key issues in the study of meaning.
2. Use some basic technical tools in a formal analysis of meaning.
3. Solve simple problems in semantic analysis.
4. Describe some semantic data in the student’s native language or research language (LING 578).

Important Notes

1. Linguistics graduate students in the PhD program can take this class (LING 578) or LING 579 (Semantic Theory II) to satisfy the semantics requirement for PhD.
2. The class period is divided into two parts (approximately 50 minutes each and a five-minute break in the middle). Each 50-minute part will normally consist of a lecture portion followed by time to work on and discuss exercises.
3. No make-up homework assignments or exams. No incompletes.
4. No late homework will be accepted without extenuating circumstances. It is your responsibility to check the course website for the availability and deadline of assignments.

Textbook

Required: Kate Kearns, Semantics, Palgrave Macmillan, 2nd edition, 2011 (available at University Bookstore or from online retailers).

Policies and Grading

Additional Notes and Classroom Rules of Conduct

1. Your questions are always welcome. However, questions that go beyond the content of the class session may have to be answered after class, during office hours, or by email.
2. You are expected to follow rules of conduct in the classroom. For example, you must refrain from engaging in private conversations in the classroom; if you have to come late, please enter the classroom quietly so as not to disrupt the lecture or the atmosphere of the classroom.
3. Each class meeting will normally include approximately 2–5 polling questions using Poll Everywhere, a free polling app. Equal credit will be given for correct and incorrect responses. See the Poll Everywhere account setup instructions for details.

Explanation of Grading Policy

Your course grades will be based on the following scale.

No rounding up is implied here. For example, if your percentile score is 92.9, then your course grade will be a 3.7.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic ethics, honesty, and integrity. It is your responsibility to read and understand the University's expectations in this regard. Any student found to be in violation of proper academic conduct will be dealt with in the strictest manner in accordance with University policy. You are encouraged to study with classmates. However, the work you submit must be yours. You must not copy someone else’s work and submit it as your work. If you cite from a source other than the textbook, you must acknowledge it. See UW expectations and grading and academic misconduct information.

Special Needs

If you have a letter from DSS indicating that you have a disability that requires special academic accommodations, please present the letter to your instructor as soon as possible so the proper accommodations can be discussed and met. For help with accommodations contact Disabled Student Services: 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924, http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/.

Religious Accommodations Policy

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Faculty Syllabus Guidelines and Resources. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form.