Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - LING 324 D100

Semantics (3)

Class Number: 2716

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    LING 282W; or LING 222 and any lower division W course.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Basic formal aspects of meaning (e.g. compositional semantics, truth conditional semantics and quantification in natural language) and how they are distinguished from pragmatic aspects of meaning. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

People use sentences to mean things: to convey information about themselves and about states of affairs in the
world. This class is an introduction to the study of how meaning is encoded and expressed in natural language. We
will examine basic concepts in the study of formal aspects of meaning, including propositional logic, truthfunctional connectives, first order predicate logic involving variable quantification, set theory, and compositional
semantics. Basic formal tools and techniques in doing semantic analysis will be studied, and supplemented by
rigorous problem-solving exercises. We will also discuss how formal aspects of meaning are distinguished from the
pragmatic aspects of meaning: e.g., contextual dependence of meaning, speech acts and conversational implicature.

REMOTE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION:
Course materials include pre-recorded and live lectures, in-class and homework exercises, demonstrations and
group discussions. Some content will be delivered asynchronously, however some lecture materials as well as
quizzes and exams, will be synchronously. For the synchronous content (via Zoom), students must be on-line during
the scheduled class time each week (i.e., every Tuesday @ 2:30-4:20 PM) in order to receive participation credit.
Students must have access to a computer with a camera, and a reliable internet connection at these times.

PLATFORMS:
The course will be delivered through both synchronous and asynchronous modules using SFU Canvas and Zoom
video-conferencing. Students must have access to these learning platforms/tools.

Grading

  • Assignments (total of 5, each worth 4%) 20%
  • Quizzes on readings, lecture, homework (total of 5, each worth 1%) 5%
  • In-class Exam 1 20%
  • In-class Exam 2 20%
  • In-class Final Exam 25%
  • Attendance and Participation 10%

REQUIREMENTS:

Students will be required to have their own personal computer, laptop, or I-Pad with functioning SFU Canvas
and Zoom, and functioning video/audio capabilities. Students may additionally be required to download and use
lockdown browsers for exams and other assessments.

It is strongly recommended that you see the Student Advisor regarding your degree requirements at
least two semesters before you plan to graduate. Unless you meet both faculty and major/minor
requirements, your graduation cannot be approved.

Students should familiarize themselves with the Department's Standards on Class Management and Student Responsibilities at http://www.sfu.ca/linguistics/undergraduate/student-resources/departmentstandards.html.

Please note that a grade of “FD” (Failed-Dishonesty) may be assigned as a penalty for academic
dishonesty.

All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of
the first week of classes or no later than one week after a student adds a course.

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible
Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Kroeger, Paul R. 2018. Analyzing meaning: An introduction to semantics and pragmatics. Textbooks in Language Sciences 5. Language Sciences Press, Berlin.
(Available for free online: http://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/144)

Magnus, P.D. 2005. For all χ: an introduction to formal logic. (Available for free online: http://www.fecundity.com/logic/)

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).