Meeting time: TuTh 9:30-11am, KCB 102

Instructor: Peter Alrenga
Email: palrenga@bu.edu  (preferred)
Phone: (617) 353-6221
Office: 621 Commonwealth Ave., Rm. 110
Office Hrs: M 2-3:30pm; W 11am-12:30pm (and by appointment)

Prerequisite: CAS LX 250 (Foundations of Language)

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the study of how meaning is encoded and expressed in natural language. The study of linguistic meaning comprises two disciplines:  semantics, the study of the conventional meaning carried by words and sentences, and pragmatics, the study of how speakers use words and sentences to convey meaning. Despite its title, this course is concerned with both aspects of linguistic meaning. We will examine some of the basic concepts, findings, and theoretical approaches that underlie research in semantics and pragmatics. Along the way, we will also acquaint ourselves with some of the formal tools that are employed in the study of meaning. Throughout, our focus will be on an empirical understanding of meaning in natural language.

Reading: There is a required textbook for this course (Kearns, Kate. 2000. Semantics.). Several supplementary readings will also be assigned; these will be made available to you. A full schedule of readings can be found under “Schedule”.  Individual reading assignments will be announced in class, and also on the class website.  All readings are required, and should be completed by the start of class.

Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments. These will be announced in class as well as on the class website. Assignments will be due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made. Your lowest homework score will be dropped; the remaining scores will account for 50% of your final grade.

Your homework assignments should be presented in coherent prose –– groups of complete sentences that lay out your thinking clearly, explicitly, and in an organized fashion. Assignments should be typed, with enough space for our comments. (Logical symbols may be hand-written, though these are also available in word processing programs such as Microsoft Word.) Remember to include your name, the date, and the assignment number on each assignment. Multi-page assignments should be stapled.

Collaboration & Academic Conduct: Linguistics is a collaborative discipline, and we encourage you to discuss the assignments with each other. However, each student must write up his/her answers independently, without reference to the written work of any other student. Also, give due credit to your collaborators by listing their names at the top of your assignment. Any external sources that you consult must be cited in your assignment.

For a full statement of the CAS Academic Conduct Code, visit http://www.bu.edu/cas/students/undergrad-resources/code/ (see in particular the sections entitled “A Definition of Plagiarism” and “Examples of Plagiarism”).

Exams: There will be an in-class midterm exam on Thursday, October 29, and a final exam on Wednesday, December 16, from 9-11am. The midterm and final will respectively constitute 20% and 25% of your final grade.

Attendance & Participation: Regular attendance and participation is expected, and will constitute 5% of your final grade.