Admission requirements
The examination and, if indicated, the teaching of the following units of study can only be taken if the examinations of the preceding units of study have been passed of Semantics 1
Description
There are systematic patterns in how sentence meanings in natural language are computed based on the meanings of the sentence's components plus the way these components are put together in syntax. Formal Semantics is a theoretical framework that enables us to empirically investigate and describe these patterns, employing tools made available by linguistics, logic and cognitive science.
This course is the second course of the two-semester introduction to formal semantics. Topics of the second semester include:
Generalised quantifiers
Events and thematic roles
Tense and aspect
Propositional attitudes
Modals
Types, meaning composition & the lambda calculus
Course objectives
To acquire the basic skills to analyse the meanings of structurally complex sentences in terms of its sub-sentential meaning composition.
To be able to apply formal semantic tools to actual natural language data and formulate solutions within the framework acquired in the course.
To be able to read and critically reflect on primary literature in semantics.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
There will be a writing assignment (paper or essay questions), and a final written exam (open book) with short open questions. In addition, continuous assessment will take place through weekly mini-exams at the beginning of class, each consisting of a few short questions lasting a couple of minutes in total. The mini-exams test students’ understanding of the preceding lectures and homework. In case of structural inability to attend, a replacement for the mini-exams will be conceived (writing assignment).
Weighing
Your final grade will be computed as the weighted average of: the average of mini-exams (30%), the writing assignment (40%), and the final exam (40%). The average of mini-exams will be computed after dropping two lowest/missing results.
Resit
A resit will be offered in the form of a substantial writing assignment, replacing portions of the original grade selected by the student. This writing assignment will cover the same topics as the portions of the original grade it replaces, and will be of a corresponding size.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
A course in semantics Altshuler, Parsons & Schwarzschild, MIT Press, 2019
as well a supplementary materials that will be provided during the course.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on this website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
not applicable
Contact
For questions related to the content of the course, please contact the lecturer, you can find their contact information by clicking on their name in the sidebar.
For questions regarding enrollment please contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats
E-mail address Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats: osz-oa-reuvensplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl
For questions regarding your studyprogress contact the Coordinator of Studies
Remarks
not applicable