Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - LING 324 B100

Semantics (3)

Class Number: 1375

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    LING 220.

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 provides 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, e.g. compositional semantics, truth-conditional semantics and quantification in natural language.  Basic formal tools and techniques in doing semantic analysis will be studied, 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.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION:  Blended

MODE OF DELIVERY: 1 hour per week in-person sessions, 2-3 hours per week pre-recorded lectures

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

PLATFORM: Whiteboard in classroom, PDF slides and movie files on Canvas

TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED: Laptop/desktop/tablet, Internet

REQUIRED READING:

Chierchia, Gennaro and Sally McConnell-Ginet. 2000. Meaning and Grammar: 

an Introduction to Semantics, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. 2nd edition
ISBN: 9780262531641

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students should familiarize themselves with the Department's Standards on Class Management and Student Responsibilities.

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.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.