Postgraduate Course: Optimality Theory (PG) (LASC11111)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Language Sciences |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Optimality Theory ('OT') is the leading theoretical framework for current work in phonology, and is one of the main frameworks for current work in syntax. No-one interested in contemporary linguistics can afford not to know how OT works, and this course offers students a chance to get to grips with the framework, from a range of perspectives. OT offers new solutions to issues in linguistic analysis and a whole host of novel conceptual possibilities. The approach focuses on the idea that linguistic structures are determined only by constraints on surface forms, which are ranked in terms of their importance (in different ways in different languages). This course will introduce the central ideas of OT and will examine the implications of these ideas for the analysis of the phonology (and in some years syntax) of English and other languages. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- explain the basic premises and mechanisms of Optimality Theory (OT)
- analyse key linguistic phenomena using the formal devices of the theory
- understand major conceptual differences between OT and traditional approaches to linguistic analysis
- critically evaluate conceptual issues and empirical problems in OT |
Assessment Information
| This course will be assessed by two pieces of assessed work to be submitted during the course. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Patrick Honeybone
Tel: (0131 6)51 1838
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: |
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