Syllabus 553: Introduction to Formal Semantics Maribel Romero Description of the course This course introduces you to the main concerns of current Formal Semantics. It teaches you how the meaning of a complex linguistic expression can be construed combining the meanings of the simple words that compose it. By studying different aspects of this semantic composition, the course provides you with tools to investigate empirical properties of natural language and with a basic background to understand current research on the field.   The main topics in the course are the following: (order and amount may change) Introduction: Compositionality. Denotations in truth-conditional semantics: for sentences and for smaller constituents. Some mathematical tools: set and functions. Propositional and Predicate Logic. Function-argument application and types. Modifiers. Variable binding. Quantifiers and the semantics of natural language Determiners. The interpretation of pronouns: Referential vs. bound pronouns. Cross-sentential anaphora: introduction to dynamics semantics, E-type pronouns. Intensionality. Presupposition.   Recommended Background Joshi’s course. Some syntax course. Background in logic is certainly helpful. (If you need additional help with the technical part of this course, do not hesitate to contact me at any point.)   Texts There are two textbooks, which I ordered at the bookstore "House of Our Own", 3920 Spruce St., (215) 222-1576: Heim, I., and A. Kratzer. 1998. Semantics in Generative Grammar. Blackwell. Gamut, L.T.F. 1991. Logic, Language, and Meaning. VOLUME 2. University of Chicago Press.   Other books that I recommend and that I may refer to are the following: Chierchia, G., and McConnell-Ginet, S. 1990. Meaning and Grammar: An Introduction to Semantics. MIT Press. Gamut, L.T.F. 1991. Logic, Language, and Meaning. VOLUME 1. University of Chicago Press. (I also ordered some copies of this one) Larson, R., and Segal G. 1995. Knowledge of Meaning. MIT Press. Partee, B., Ter Meulen, A. , and Wall. 1990. Mathematical Methods in Linguistics. Kluwer.   Course Requirements and Grades Attendance, readings, weekly "regular" homework assignments, four "special" assignments, and one (possibly joint) class presentation. Every week, you will be assigned some "regular" homework exercises. These assignments will not get a grade. We will go over them in class all together to make sure that everybody understood them (be ready to be called to do them on the blackboard). This work is for your own benefit: you are encouraged to work in teams if you find that it helps you, and you should contact me as soon as you get stuck. The purpose of it is to prepare you for… … the four "special" homework assignments, which you have to hand in on the date they are due and which you will get a grade for. Towards the end of the semester, you have to give a (possibly joint) presentation. You are expected to present critically some extra reading (from the aforementioned texts, or some paper that I will assign you) or your own piece of research (probably an extension of some homework assignment). You should meet with me and have a topic no later than March 29. All presentations require a handout. Your grade will be based on your three best "special" homework assignments, your presentation and your class participation.   Contact Information Office hours: TBA Williams Hall 610 romero@ling.upenn.edu Office phone: 573-5192