Optimality Theory (U03090)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-4-OT-LI

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the central premises of Optimality Theory and the conceptual and empirical results that follow from its application to phonology and syntax. It also addresses issues and implications that the theory raises in our understanding of phonology and syntax.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : 1) Honours Foundation: Phonetics & Phonology (U00668) or Modern English Phonology 1 (U00345) AND 2) Honours Foundation: Syntax & Semantics (U00540) or Syntactic Theory and English Syntax (U03803).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Language Sciences, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 9 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
08/01/2008	14:00	15:50	Seminar Room 4, Medical School, Teviot	Med+Vet

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central
Lecture	Friday	14:00	14:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Location: Tuesday - Room 199 (Seminar Room 4) Medical School Teviot Place (Enter via doorway 3 - located in the Henry Littlejohn Suite on the ground floor)
Friday - Rm B9 AFB

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 phonological and syntactic phenomena using the formal devices of the theory;
- understand major conceptual differences between OT and traditional approaches to phonology and syntax; and
- 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. The first will be a data-based project early in the course. The second will be a 3,000 word essay to be handed in at the end of the course. Each will make up 50% of the overall assessment.