Linguistics

(including courses in Applied Linguistics)

• GRS LX 705: Prosody
  Exploration of the melodic and rhythmic aspects of the languages of the world. Emphasis on theoretical and experimental approaches to cross-linguistic typology. Specific topics include syllables and syllable-weight, rhythm and speech timing; stress and metrics; tone and intonation. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS LX 525.
• GRS LX 706: Advanced Topics in Phonology
  Topics will vary. May be taken more than once for credit with different topics. First topic: Distinctive feature theory from Structuralism to the present. Issues include the putative universality of distinctive features, their phonetic underpinnings, tension among the various roles features play in the grammar, and applicability of features to phonology beyond consonants and vowels.
• GRS LX 722: Intermediate Syntax: Modeling Syntactic Knowledge
  Using linguistic data drawn from a wide variety of languages, students develop a precise model of syntactic knowledge through evaluation of hypotheses and arguments. Exploration of major discoveries and phenomena from the linguistic literature.
• GRS LX 723: Advanced Syntax: Issues in Modern Syntactic Theory
  Exploration of advanced topics in syntax, chosen in part based on student interest, through reading and critical discussion of both foundational and recent literature. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Syntax II" that was previously numbered CAS LX 523.
• GRS LX 732: Intermediate Semantics: The Grammatical Construction of Meaning
  Systematic development of a semantic theory of natural language, using the tools of model-theoretic semantics. In-depth study of the relation between meaning and grammar, and the relation between meaning and context. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Semantics II" that was previously numbered CAS LX 503.
• GRS LX 733: Intermediate Pragmatics: Meaning in Context
  Covers the main areas of linguistic pragmatics, the study of language use and the relation between meaning and context. Study of pragmatic phenomena such as presuppositions, implicatures, anaphora, and focus, from the perspective of linguistic semantics. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Topics in Pragmatics" that was previously numbered CAS LX 504.
• GRS LX 736: Advanced Topics in Semantics & Pragmatics
  Topic will vary. May be taken more than once for credit with different topics. Topic for Fall 2018: Explores the interface between gradability and quantification, and how tensions at this interface play out across a wide range of languages. Discussion of multiple theoretical perspectives on both gradability and quantity expressions, and investigation of cross-linguistic variation through fieldwork projects.
• GRS LX 754: Acquisition of Syntax
  Exploration of the character and course of acquisition of syntactic knowledge in both first and second language contexts. Covers methodological principles for conducting studies and analyzing data, and topics such as development of verb movement, binding theory, and tense. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS LX 540.
• GRS LX 795: Quantitative Methods in Linguistics
  Introduces students to quantitative approaches to linguistic data, including visualization, hypothesis testing, and data modeling. Students gain proficiency in R, an open-source statistical environment, and learn the logic behind statistical techniques, as well as practical skills for using them.

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