Contents
Ling 495 Senior Seminar in Optimality Theory
Dr. Nick Danis, nsdanis@wustl.edu
Description
This seminar is an in-depth exploration of linguistic analyses in the Optimality Theory (OT) framework. OT is a constraint-based system where linguistic structure (be it from phonology, morphology, or syntax) is evaluated in parallel to determine the “best” candidate for a particular language. Students will engage in the primary literature on OT, dissect published analyses, and conduct formal OT analyses of their own. The seminar serves both to survey OT as well as to develop mastery in formal analysis and linguistic argumentation in general. No prior knowledge of OT is necessary. Prequisite: Ling 313. Course Attributes: EN S; AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC
Course Info
| Course Number | L44 Ling 495 |
|---|---|
| Semester | Fall 2023 |
| Time | T-R 11:30am-12:50pm |
| Location | Sever 102 |
| Office | |
| Office Hours | |
| Homepage | https://wustl.instructure.com/courses/117294 |
Goals
- Engage in the primary literature for linguistics, specifically in Optimality Theory.
- Create novel analyses for real linguistic data in the Optimality Theory framework.
- Understand and critique existing analyses in the Optimality Theory framework.
- Understand and define explicit, falsifiable theory.
Required Materials
All readings and PDFs are posted on Canvas. Please make sure you stay up to date on all readings.
Schedule
The exact schedule is likely to change as the semester progresses. Please see Canvas for all up-to-date readings and assignment due dates. Below is a selection from the reading list we will cover throughout the semester.
| Author | Title |
|---|---|
| McCarthy | A Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory |
| McCarthy | Optimality Theory in Phonology A Reader |
| McCarthy | Doing Optimality Theory: Applying Theory to Data |
| Prince & Smolensky | Constraint Interaction in Generative Grammar |
| Prince | Entailed Ranking Arguments |
| Lombardi | Positional Faithfulness and Voicing Assimilation in Optimality Theory |
| Rice | Markedness in Phonology |
| Brasoveanu & Prince | Ranking and necessity- the Fusional Reduction Algorithm |
| Alber | Clash, Lapse, and Directionality |
| Bane & Riggle | Consequences of Candidate Omission |
| Bakovic & Keer | Optionality and Ineffability |
| Alber & DelBusso & Prince | From intensional properties to universal support |
| de Lacy | Markedness Reduction and Preservation in Phonology |
| Zsiga | The Sounds of Language ch 14 Constraint-based phonology |
| McCarthy & Prince | Generalized Alignment Prosody |
| McCarthy & Prince | Faithfulness and Identity in Prosodic Morphology |
| McCarthy & Prince | Generalized Alignment Introduction and Theory |
| Myers | OCP Effects in Optimality Theory |
| Pater | Austronesian Nasal Substitution and Other NC Effects |
| Beckman | Positional Faithfulness |
| Lombardi | Positional Faithfulness and Voicing Assimilation in Optimality Theory |
| Alderete | Dissimilation as Local Conjunction |
| Zec | The syllable |
Grade
The grade for this class is evenly divided between three categories: attendance/participation, technical practice, and the final project. As this is a small seminar, constant participation and attendance is mandatory. Technical practice refers small, low-stakes exercises that make sure the fundamentals of theory are understood. The final project is a research paper that you work on throughout the semester, culminating in 10-15 pages (single spaced) of analysis and research. More detail is given in class.
Letter grades
Letter grades are assigned based off the following scale. Numerical grades are not rounded.
- 100 ≥ A+ ≥ 98
- 98 > A ≥ 93
- 93 > A- ≥ 90
- 90 > B+ ≥ 87
- 87 > B ≥ 83
- 83 > B- ≥ 80
- 80 > C+ ≥ 77
- 77 > C ≥ 73
- 73 > C- ≥ 70
- 70 > D+ ≥ 67
- 67 > D ≥ 63
- 63 > D- ≥ 60
If you are taking this class pass/fail, you must receive at least a C- (70%) to pass.
If you believe there has been an error in grading, I am happy to discuss it with you. However, you must bring it up to me within one week of the graded assignment being returned to you. After this, the grade is considered final.
Academic Integrity
This course adheres to the university’s Academic Integrity Policy, and takes cheating and plagiarism very seriously. All work completed online must be done alone unless instructed otherwise, and no resources not approved by the instructor may be used during exams.
ADA Compliance
Washington University is committed to providing accommodations and/or services to students with documented disabilities. Students who are seeking support for a disability or a suspected disability should contact Disability Resources at 935-4153. Disability Resources is responsible for approving all disability-related accommodations for WU students, and students are responsible for providing faculty members with formal documentation of their approved accommodations at least two weeks prior to using those accommodations. I will accept Disability Resources VISA forms by email and personal delivery. If you have already been approved for accommodations, I request that you provide me with a copy of your VISA within the first two weeks of the semester. Please see more information at http://cornerstone.wustl.edu.
Sexual Assault Resources
The University is committed to offering reasonable academic accommodations (e.g., no contact order, course changes) to students who are victims of relationship or sexual violence, regardless of whether they seek criminal or disciplinary action. If you need to request such accommodations, please contact the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (RSVP) at rsvpcenter@wustl.edu or 314-935-3445 to schedule an appointment with an RSVP confidential, licensed counselor. Information shared with counselors is confidential. However, requests for accommodations will be coordinated with the appropriate University administrators and faculty. Please see more information at https://students.wustl.edu/relationship-sexual-violence-prevention-center.