This course builds upon the training and background received in Linguistics 510 (Introduction to Semantics) and introduces undergraduate students to some more advanced topics and issues in formal semantic theory. Students will gain a broadened understanding of semantic theory, its formal tools, and the variety of natural language phenomena they can insightfully analyze. In addition, students' engagement with the field of semantics will be deepened, through critical discussion of primary sources, as well as through the completion of a final research project.

By the end of the semester, you will be able to say, "I know how we acquire a second (third, fourth) language!" You will develop a strong knowledge of second language acquisition: its challenges, major theories and why it is fascinating. We will go over Bilingualism as well, and explore the differences between adult and child acquisition. Active participation required, presentations, readings every week, for a class led as a seminar. Designed for students not majoring in linguistics.

With lab. Introduction to the investigation of meaning from a linguistic, philosophical, and psychological point of view. How do words get their meanings, and how do we combine simple meanings to create complex ones? How can new meanings be created on the spot? What does context contribute to meaning? How are meanings connected to syntactic structure and intonation? Prerequisite: LINGUIST 201 and 401.

With lab. Introduction to the investigation of meaning from a linguistic, philosophical, and psychological point of view. How do words get their meanings, and how do we combine simple meanings to create complex ones? How can new meanings be created on the spot? What does context contribute to meaning? How are meanings connected to syntactic structure and intonation? Prerequisite: LINGUIST 201 and 401.

This course investigates the common syntactic properties underlying human languages. This is done by comparing similar linguistic structures in a variety of related languages and teasing apart the phenomena that seem constant from the parts that seem to vary. This process also showcases how to construct and evaluate theories of syntactic phenomena. Prerequisite: Linguistics 401 or 401H.

The Commonwealth Honors College thesis or project is intended to provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to define and carry out in-depth research or creative endeavors. It provides excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their education through graduate study or begin their professional careers. The student works closely with their 499Y Honors Research sponsor to pursue research on a topic or question of special interest to them in preparation for writing a 499T Honors Thesis or completing a 499P Honors Project.

Honors Thesis expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional research manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all theses: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Honors Project expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional project manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all projects: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

We often mean more than we say and pragmatics is the field concerned with how we come to understand what speakers really mean. This class provides an introduction to the main topics in Pragmatics within Linguistics. Amongst other topics, we will explore presuppositions, implicatures, speech acts and information structure. In short, we will be concerned with the study of the meaning of natural language utterances in context as well as with how context enriches meaning.

Thesis written with a faculty member.