This course is an introduction to the theory of linguistic meaning. When we look at how language is used in communication, we see two interacting systems: semantic information, which is part of our knowledge of language, and pragmatic principles, which we use to interpret what (we think) people mean when they use language. This course is concerned with both semantics and pragmatics.
The goal of the course is to develop your ability to examine your intuitions about linguistic meaning and to subject them to analysis. We begin by exploring some fundamental semantic intuitions and relate them to the process of linguistic communication. We then use those intuitions to investigate the semantic structure of English, with occasional reference to other languages. At the end of the course, you should you will better understand how Ôwhat someone meansÕ is based on what they actually say and your own expectations in the context.
No previous work in linguistics is presupposed. Gen Ed Code: IH
The required written work for the course consists of:
á Weekly homework. Homework assignments will usually be distributed on Fridays and due at the beginning of class on the following Wednesday. Homework assignments will also be posted to the class website.
á The Midterm exam. The exam will consist of a take home part (counting as that weekÕs homework assignment) and an in-class section. The focus of the exam will be on correct use of diagnostic tests and analysis of lexical meaning.
á The Final exam. The exam will consist of a take-home part (distributed on Wednesday of the last week of classes and the final exam given on Tuesday, March 18 from 12 to 3 pm (in the classroom).
Your assessment in the course will be based upon:
á Mastery of the concepts and methods of analysis as evidenced on the midterm and the final.
á Your engagement with the course material as evidenced in your record of homework submission and the thoroughness and clarity of your answers in the take-home sections of the exams. Participation in class discussions and section meetings is a positive contributor to your assessment.
My general expectations are that you will attend every lecture, do all the reading, and submit all the written work on time. Attendance at a section meeting is strongly encouraged but not required. When the exigencies of life intervene, take responsibility and be proactive.
Participation in a study group is an excellent way to enhance your learning and we encourage discussion outside class. However all of the written work submitted for the course must be consistent with expectations of academic integrity. For this class, this means that:
á If you discuss the problems on a homework assignment or take-home part of the exam with someone else, you should acknowledge that consultation at the end of the your paper with a note that says ÒOn this assignment I worked withÉ.Ó
á Your write-up of the problem must be done entirely on you own, without reference to the write-ups of anyone else.
á Your in-class exams are done without reference to any information not explicitly allowed.
Any violation of these standards may result in an academic integrity violation, the academic sanction for which will include disallowing the work and may include failing the course.
Instructor: Bill
Ladusaw, Cowell 116, 459-2115, ladusaw@ucsc.edu.
Office
Hours: M 2-3 pm, TW 2-4 pm and by
appointment.
Inbox:
Cowell Faculty Services, Cowell 220
Course
Assts: Irena Polic, polic@ucsc.edu
Office
Hours: Friday, 12-1 pm in the Stevenson ÒMusic RoomÓ
Lynsey
Wolter, lwolter@ucsc.edu
Office
Hours: Monday, 11-12 pm in the Stevenson ÒMusic RoomÓ
Sections: Attendance in section meetings
is strongly recommended. Section
meetings will go over additional examples and review problems from the homework
assignments. You may attend any of
the section meetings.
A: M 2-3:10 pm Ñ Kresge 194 (Wolter)
B: M 5-6:10 pm Ñ Merrill 132 (Polic)
C: T 8:30-9:40 am Ñ Soc Sci II #167 (Ladusaw)Ñ Enrichment
Section
*The Enrichment Section is open to those who have already
taken or are currently taking Ling 52, Syntax 1 or Ling 55, Syntactic
Structures. It will go beyond the
material covered in class on the syntax-semantics interface.
D: T 6-7:10 pm Ñ Merrill 3 (Wolter & Polic)
Required
Text: Sebastian Loebner. Understanding Semantics.
Arnold.
Website: http://people.ucsc.edu/~ladusaw/ling53