department of linguistics and philosophy -...

DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS AND PHILOSOPHY

DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS ANDPHILOSOPHY

As its name suggests, the Department of Linguistics and Philosophyhouses a linguistics section and a philosophy section. Though theyshare a number of intellectual interests and a joint undergraduatemajor, these two sections are administratively autonomous withseparate chairpersons, faculties, admissions procedures, curricularand degree requirements, and nancial aid programs.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor of Science in Philosophy (Course 24-1)This major (http://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/philosophy-course-24-1) is designed to provide familiarity with the history andcurrent status of the main problems in epistemology, metaphysics,and ethics; mastery of some of the technical skills requisite foradvanced work in philosophy; facility at independent philosophicalstudy; and work at an advanced level in an allied eld. A relativelylarge amount of unrestricted elective time is available so thatstudents can devise programs suited to individual needs andinterests.

Bachelor of Science in Linguistics and Philosophy (Course 24-2)This major, also known as the Program in Language and Mind, aimsto provide students with a working knowledge of a variety of issuesthat currently occupy the intersection of philosophy, linguistics,and cognitive science. Central among these topics are the nature oflanguage, of those mental representations that we call "knowledge"and "belief," and of the innate basis for the acquisition of certaintypes of knowledge (especially linguistic knowledge). Studentshave the option of pursuing either a philosophy track (http://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/linguistics-philosophy-course-24-2/#philosophytext) or a linguistics track (http://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/linguistics-philosophy-course-24-2/#linguisticstext).Both require a core set of subjects drawn from both elds andare designed to teach students the central facts and issues in thestudy of language and the representation of knowledge. Each trackrequires, in addition, a set of subjects drawn primarily from itsdiscipline and is designed to prepare students for graduate studyeither in philosophy/cognitive science or in linguistics. A coherentprogram of three restricted electives (drawn from one or two of thefollowing three areas: linguistics, philosophy, or a related area)rounds out the major.

Note that students are prohibited from majoring in both 24-1 and24-2.

Minor in PhilosophyThe goal of the Minor in Philosophy is to introduce students to themethods of analytic philosophy and then to have them study a

broad range of philosophers and philosophical issues at a moresophisticated level, culminating in an advanced seminar.

The minor consists of six subjects arranged into three levels of studyas follows:

Tier ISelect any introductory philosophy subject numbered24.00 - 24.09 1

12

Select one of the following logic subjects: 2 1224.118 Paradox and Innity24.241 Logic I24.242 Logic II24.243 Classical Set Theory24.244 Modal Logic24.245 Theory of Models

Tier IISelect three non-introductory philosophy subjects,approved by the minor advisor

36

Tier III24.260 Topics in Philosophy 12

Total Units 72

1 Students may substitute an appropriate philosophy concourse subjectwith the permission of the minor advisor.

2 Students may take a logic subject oered by another department (e.g.,Mathematics) with the permission of the minor advisor.

Minor in LinguisticsThe Minor in Linguistics consists of six subjects arranged in threelevels of study, intended to provide students with breadth in the eldof theoretical linguistics as a whole. The three levels are as follows:

Tier I24.900 Introduction to Linguistics 1 12Tier II24.901 Language and Its Structure I:

Phonology12

24.902 Language and Its Structure II: Syntax 1224.903 Language and Its Structure III:

Semantics and Pragmatics12

Tier IIISelect two of the following: 24

24.904 Language Acquisition24.905[J] Laboratory in Psycholinguistics24.906[J] The Linguistic Study of Bilingualism24.909 Field Methods in Linguistics24.910 Advanced Topics in Linguistic

Analysis24.914 Language Variation and Change

Department of Linguistics and Philosophy | 3


24.915 Linguistic Phonetics

Total Units 72

1 24.9000 How Language Works is also an acceptable option.

Graduate Study

Master of Science in LinguisticsThe Department of Linguistics (http://linguistics.mit.edu) andPhilosophy (http://web.mit.edu/philosophy) has an IndigenousLanguage Initiative program leading to a Master of Science inLinguistics. For more information about this degree, visit thewebsite or contact the program administrator ([email protected]).

Doctor of Philosophy in LinguisticsThe Linguistics Section oers a demanding program leading to thedegree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics. The normal courseof study is ve years, including the writing of the dissertation. Theorientation of the program is highly theoretical, its central aimbeing the development of a general theory that reveals the rulesand laws that govern the structure of a given language and thegeneral laws and principles that govern all natural languages. Thetopics that form the core of this program are the traditional ones ofphonology, syntax, and semantics, but the program's interests alsoextend into questions of the interrelations between linguistics andother disciplines such as philosophy and logic, speech science andtechnology, computer science and articial intelligence, and study ofthe brain and cognition.

Approximately eight students enter the program each year in a highlyselective admissions process. The department does not require thatapplicants have taken any particular set of subjects or that they betrained in any particular discipline. Instead, applicants must presentevidence that they are able to engage in serious scholarly inquiry ofcomplex subject matter.

All students in the linguistics program must complete a set ofrequired subjects unless they have acquired adequate preparationelsewhere. Before degree candidates begin their doctoral research,they are required to pass a comprehensive general examination, inconformity with Institute requirements.

The following subjects are normally required of all doctoralcandidates in linguistics:

24.951 Introduction to Syntax 1224.961 Introduction to Phonology 1224.970 Introduction to Semantics 1224.952 Advanced Syntax 1224.962 Advanced Phonology 1224.973 Advanced Semantics 1224.993 Tutorial in Linguistics and Related

Fields

24.942 Topics in the Grammar of a LessFamiliar Language

12

24.949 Language Acquisition I 924.991 Workshop in Linguistics (two terms) 1224.995 Linguistics Professional Perspective 1Two additional subjects, including:

An advanced subject with research paperrequirement in syntax/semanticsAn advanced subject with research paperrequirement in phonology/morphology

Before students begin their doctoral research, they are requiredto pass a comprehensive general examination that is composedof two parts. The rst part is a written examination consistingof two substantial papers on topics chosen in consultation withmembers of the faculty. The two papers must present research ontwo distinct topics in two distinct subdisciplines of linguistics. Thesubdisciplines include phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics,pragmatics, language acquisition, language processing, or any otherarea of linguistics, so long as there is a substantial theoretical-linguistic component to the papers. In conformity with Instituteregulations, the second part of the examination is oral. It dealswith topics treated in the candidate's written examination, but isnot limited to these and probes into the candidate's competence inlinguistics in general.

For more information about the PhD program requirements, visit thewebsite (http://web.mit.edu/philosophy/PhDprogram.html).

Doctor of Philosophy in PhilosophyThe program of studies leading to the doctorate in philosophyprovides subjects and seminars in such traditional areas aslogic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science,philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, aesthetics, socialand political philosophy, and history of philosophy. Interestin philosophical problems arising from other disciplines, suchas linguistics, psychology, mathematics, and physics, is alsoencouraged.

To enter the doctoral program, students must have done well intheir previous academic work and must be formally accepted ascandidates for the degree by the Department of Linguistics andPhilosophy. Although there are no formal course requirements foradmission, applicants must satisfy the committee on admissionsthat their preparation in philosophy and allied disciplines issucient for undertaking the study of philosophy at the graduatelevel.

Before beginning dissertation research, students are required to taketwo years of coursework, including a proseminar in contemporaryphilosophy that all students must complete in their rst yearof graduate study. Students are also required to demonstrate

4 | Department of Linguistics and Philosophy


competence in the following areas: value theory, logic, and thehistory of philosophy.

Interdisciplinary study is encouraged, and candidates for thedoctorate may take a minor in a eld other than philosophy. Optionsfor minors include linguistics, psychology, and logic. Studentswho elect one of these options are expected to complete threeapproved graduate subjects in their minor eld. There is no generallanguage requirement for the doctorate, except in those cases inwhich competence in one or more foreign languages is needed tocarry on research for the dissertation.

For more information about the PhD program requirements, visit thewebsite (http://web.mit.edu/philosophy/PhDprogram.html).

InquiriesInformation regarding undergraduate or graduate academicprograms, research activities, admissions, nancial aid, andassistantships may be obtained from the Department of Linguisticsand Philosophy, Room 32-D808, 617-253-9372.

Faculty and Teaching Sta

Alex Byrne, PhDProfessor of PhilosophyHead, Department of Linguistics and Philosophy

ProfessorsAdam Albright, PhDProfessor of Linguistics

Noam Chomsky, PhDInstitute ProfessorProfessor of Linguistics

Michel DeGra, PhDProfessor of Linguistics

Suzanne Flynn, PhDProfessor of Second Language Acquisition

Daniel Fox, PhDAnshen-Chomsky Professor in Language and ThoughtProfessor of Linguistics

Caspar Hare, PhDProfessor of Philosophy

Sally Haslanger, PhDFord International ProfessorProfessor of Philosophy(On leave, spring)

Sabine Iatridou, PhDProfessor of Linguistics

Michael John Kenstowicz, PhDProfessor of Linguistics

Vann McGee, PhDProfessor of Philosophy

Shigeru Miyagawa, PhDKochi Prefecture-John Manjiro Professor in Japanese Language and

CultureProfessor Post-Tenure of Linguistics

David Pesetsky, PhDFerrari P. Ward Professor of Modern Languages and Linguistics

Agustín Rayo, PhDProfessor of PhilosophyAssociate Dean, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Norvin W. Richards, PhDProfessor of Linguistics

Roger Schwarzschild, PhDProfessor of Linguistics(On leave)

Kieran Setiya, PhDProfessor of Philosophy(On leave)

Bradford Skow, PhDLaurance S. Rockefeller ProfessorProfessor of Philosophy

Donca Steriade, PhDClass of 1941 ProfessorProfessor of Linguistics

Kai von Fintel, PhDAndrew E. Mellon Professor in the HumanitiesProfessor of Linguistics

Roger White, PhDProfessor of Philosophy(On leave, fall)

Stephen Yablo, PhDDavid W. Skinner ProfessorProfessor of Philosophy

Associate ProfessorsEdward Flemming, PhDAssociate Professor of Linguistics

Martin Hackl, PhDAssociate Professor of Linguistics

Justin Khoo, PhDAssociate Professor of Philosophy



Tamar Schapiro, PhDAssociate Professor of Philosophy

Miriam Schoeneld, PhDAssociate Professor of Philosophy

John Haven Spencer II, PhDAssociate Professor of Philosophy

Assistant ProfessorsAthulya Aravind, PhDAssistant Professor of Linguistics

Edwin Green, PhDAssistant Professor of Philosophy(On leave, fall)

Professors Emeriti

James Wesley Harris, PhDProfessor Emeritus of LinguisticsProfessor Emeritus of Spanish

Irene R. Heim, PhDProfessor Emerita of Linguistics

Samuel Jay Keyser, PhDProfessor Emeritus of Linguistics

Robert Stalnaker, PhDLaurance S. Rockefeller Professor in Philosophy Emeritus

Judith Jarvis Thomson, PhDProfessor Emerita of Philosophy

Kenneth Wexler, PhDProfessor Emeritus of PsychologyProfessor Emeritus of Linguistics

Discovery-focused

24.93 The Search for MeaningSubject meets with 24.A03Prereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)1-0-1 units

"We create islands of meaning in the sea of information" (FreemanDyson). In this subject, we will explore a central feature of humannature: we are meaning-seeking engines. There are many waysof encoding and extracting meaning. We will talk about smokesignals, talking drums, alphabets, Universal Grammar, articiallanguages, the problem of rst contact, code breaking, SherlockHolmes, the genetic code, and much more. We will bring in ideasfrom information theory, cryptography, linguistics, logic, psychology,anthropology, computer science, philosophy, and literature. Includessome reading and thinking outside class, but no problem sets orpapers. Subject can count toward the 9-unit discovery-focused creditlimit for rst year students.K. von Fintel

Philosophy

Undergraduate Subjects

24.00 Problems of PhilosophyPrereq: NoneU (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Introduction to the problems of philosophy- in particular, toproblems in ethics, metaphysics, theory of knowledge, andphilosophy of logic, language, and science. A systematic ratherthan historical approach. Readings from classical and contemporarysources, but emphasis is on examination and evaluation of proposedsolutions to the problems.A. Byrne



24.01 Classics of Western PhilosophyPrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Introduction to Western philosophical tradition through the studyof selected major thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Lucretius,Descartes, Hobbes, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Nietzscheand Marx. Emphasis on changes of intellectual outlook over time,and the complex interplay of scientic, religious and politicalconcerns that influence the development of philosophical ideas.S. Haslanger

24.013 Philosophy and the ArtsPrereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Explores philosophical questions about art in general, and about theparticular arts, such as literature and music. Measures the answersphilosophers have proposed to these questions against our ownexperiences with the arts. Readings include short works of literature.Includes a museum visit with no charge to students.B. Skow

24.02 Moral Problems and the Good LifePrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Introduction to important philosophical debates about moral issuesand what constitutes a good life: What is right, what is wrong, andwhy? How important are personal happiness, longevity, and successif one is to live a good life? When is it good for you to get what youwant? To what extent are we morally obliged to respect the rights andneeds of others? What do we owe the poor, the discriminated, ourloved ones, animals and fetuses?K. Setiya

24.03 Good Food: The Ethics and Politics of FoodPrereq: NoneU (Spring)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Explores the values (aesthetic, moral, cultural, religious, prudential,political) expressed in the choices of food people eat. Analyzes thedecisions individuals make about what to eat, how society shouldmanage food production and consumption collectively, and howreflection on food choices might help resolve conflicts betweendierent values.S. Haslanger

24.04[J] JusticeSame subject as 17.01[J]Prereq: NoneU (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Provides an introduction to contemporary political thought centeredaround the ideal of justice and the realities of injustice. Examineswhat a just society might look like and how we should understandvarious forms of oppression and domination. Studies three theoriesof justice (utilitarianism, libertarianism, and egalitarian liberalism)and brings them into conversation with other traditions of politicalthought (critical theory, communitarianism, republicanism, and post-structuralism). Readings cover foundational debates about equality,freedom, recognition, and power.B. Zacka

24.05 Philosophy of ReligionPrereq: NoneU (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Uses key questions in the philosophy of religion to introduce toolsof contemporary philosophy. Explores what denes a god, thepossibility of the existence of gods, the potential conflict betweenreligion and science, whether morality requires a divine author, andreligious tolerance.J. Spencer



24.06[J] BioethicsSame subject as STS.006[J]Prereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: U (Fall)Acad Year 2021-2022: Not oered3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Considers ethical questions that have arisen from the growth ofbiomedical research and the health-care industry since WorldWar II. Should doctors be allowed to help patients end their lives?If so, when and how? Should embryos be cloned for researchand/or reproduction? Should parents be given control over thegenetic make-up of their children? What types of living things areappropriate to use as research subjects? How should we distributescarce and expensive medical resources? Draws on philosophy,history, and anthropology to show how problems in bioethics can beapproached from a variety of perspectives.N. Baron-Schmitt, R. Scheler

24.07 The Ethics of Climate ChangePrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Deals with ethical questions raised by the way in which our climateis changing as a result of fossil fuel consumption. Explores the moralproblems raised by these eects, the obligations of individuals andgovernments, the diculties involved in dealing with uncertainty,catastrophe, and the ethics of future generations.C. Hare, K. Setiya

24.08[J] Philosophical Issues in Brain ScienceSame subject as 9.48[J]Prereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

An introduction to some central philosophical questions about themind, specically those intimately connected with contemporarypsychology and neuroscience. Discussions focus on arguments overinnate concepts; 'mental images' as pictures in the head; whethercolor is in the mind or in the world; and whether there can be ascience of consciousness. Explains the relevant parts of psychologyand neuroscience as the subject proceeds.E. J. Green

24.09 Minds and MachinesPrereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H

Introduction to philosophy of mind. Can computers think? Is themind an immaterial thing? Alternatively, is the mind the brain?How can creatures like ourselves think thoughts that are aboutthings? Can I know whether your experiences are the same as minewhen we both look at raspberries, re trucks, and stoplights? Canconsciousness be given a scientic explanation?E. J. Green

24.111 Philosophy of Quantum MechanicsPrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Quantum mechanics is said to describe a world in which physicalobjects oen lack "denite" properties, indeterminism creeps in atthe point of "observation," ordinary logic does not apply, and distantevents are perfectly yet inexplicably correlated. Examination of theseand other issues central to the philosophical foundations of quantummechanics, with special attention to the measurement problem, no-hidden-variables proofs, and Bell's Inequalities. Rigorous approachto the subject matter nevertheless neither presupposes nor requiresthe development of detailed technical knowledge of the quantumtheory.B. Skow

24.116 Philosophy of StatisticsPrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Studies how to evaluate statistical hypotheses. Critically considersseveral prominent approaches, including frequentism (with itsnull hypotheses, test statistics, p-values), likelihoodism (with itslikelihood ratios and relative support) and Bayesianism (with itspriors, conditionalization, utilities). Focuses on foundations, nottechnicalities. Previous exposure to statistics will be helpful but isn'trequired.C. Grant



24.118 Paradox and InnityPrereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Presents highlights of the more technical side of philosophy.Studies a cluster of puzzles, paradoxes, and intellectual wonders- from the higher innite to Godel's Theorem - and discusses theirphilosophical implications. Recommended prerequisites: 6.0001,18.01.A. Rayo

24.120 Moral PsychologyPrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

An examination of philosophical theories of action and motivation inthe light of empirical ndings from social psychology, sociology andneuroscience. Topics include belief, desire, and moral motivation;sympathy and empathy; intentions and other committing states;strength of will and weakness of will; free will; addiction andcompulsion; guilt, shame and regret; evil; self-knowledge and self-deception; virtues and character traits.E. J. Green

24.131 Ethics of TechnologyPrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Introduces the tools of philosophical ethics through applicationto contemporary issues concerning technology. Takes up currentdebates on topics such as privacy and surveillance, algorithmic bias,the promise and peril of articial intelligence, automation and thefuture of work, and threats to democracy in the digital age from theperspective of users, practitioners, and regulatory/governing bodies.Sta

24.132 Workshop in Ethical EngineeringPrereq: NoneU (IAP)Not oered regularly; consult department2-0-1 units

Students study and apply a protocol for identifying and addressingethical issues in a computer science, soware development, orother engineering project. Builds a vocabulary to advocate for andjustify ethical decisions in engineering contexts. For the nal project,students either apply the protocol to a project they are working on,or develop their own protocol.Sta

24.133 Experiential Ethics (New)Prereq: NoneU (Fall; partial term)1-0-2 units

Examines the ethical context around students' summer internships,research, and other experiential learning activities. During thesummer (virtually) and through the rst four weeks of the fall term,students engage in small group discussions of applied ethicalpractices and case studies. In the fall, they explore their ownmoral values through a reflective nal project that examines theirengagement with ethics during their summer experience. Includeslocal eld trips, practitioner interviews, and/or similar opportunitiesfor interaction with professional ethics. Concludes with a showcaseof nal presentations. Students planning to take this subject mustapply in the spring; consult program website for details.M. Phillips-Brown

24.140[J] Literature and PhilosophySame subject as 21L.452[J]Prereq: NoneU (Fall)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Highlights interactions between literary and philosophical texts,asking how philosophical themes can be explored in ction, poetry,and drama. Exposes students to diverse modes of humanisticthought, interpretation, and argument, putting the tools andideas of philosophy into conversation with those of the literaryhumanities. Students engage closely with selected literary andphilosophical texts, explore selected topics in philosophy - such asethics, epistemology, and aesthetics - through a literary lens, andparticipate in class discussion with peers and professors. Limited to20.M. Gubar, K. Setiya



24.200 Ancient PhilosophyPrereq: One Philosophy subject or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Investigates the origins of Western philosophy in ancient Greece.Aims both to understand the philosophical questions the Greekswere asking on their own terms, and to assess their answers to them.Examines how a human being can lead a good life, the relationshipbetween morality and happiness, our knowledge of the worldaround us, and the entities we need to appeal to in order to explainthat world. Students taking graduate version complete additionalassignments.Sta

24.201 Topics in the History of PhilosophyPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-HCan be repeated for credit.

Close examination of a text, an author, or a theme in the historyof philosophy. Can be repeated for credit with permission of theinstructor and advisor.Fall: T. Schapiro, Spring: J. Van Cleve

24.211 Theory of KnowledgePrereq: One philosophy subjectU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Study of problems concerning our concept of knowledge, ourknowledge of the past, our knowledge of the thoughts and feelingsof ourselves and others, and our knowledge of the existence andproperties of physical objects in our immediate environment.R. White

24.212 Philosophy of PerceptionPrereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

In-depth examination of philosophical issues concerning perception,such as whether we see mind-independent physical objects or,alternatively, mind-dependent representations; whether perceptionis a source of theory-neutral observations or is aected by theperceiver's beliefs in a way that compromises the objectivity ofscience. Readings primarily drawn from contemporary literature inboth philosophy and psychology.Sta

24.213 Philosophy of FilmPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Explores the philosophical analysis of cinematic art. Topics mayinclude the nature of lm, authorship, interpretation, ethical,narration, metaphor, meta-criticism, political and emotionalengagement with the cinematic experience.J. Khoo

24.215 Topics in the Philosophy of SciencePrereq: One philosophy subjectU (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-HCan be repeated for credit.

Close examination of a small number of issues central to recentphilosophy of science, such as the demarcation problem, causalrelations, laws of nature, underdetermination of theory bydata, paradoxes of conrmation, scientic realism, the role ofmathematics in science, elimination of bias, and the objectivity ofscientic discourse.B. Skow

24.221 MetaphysicsPrereq: One philosophy subjectU (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Study of basic metaphysical issues concerning existence, the mind-body problem, personal identity, and causation plus its implicationsfor freedom. Classical as well as contemporary readings. Providespractice in written and oral communication.J. Spencer

24.222 Decisions, Games and Rational ChoicePrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Foundations and philosophical applications of Bayesian decisiontheory, game theory and theory of collective choice. Why shoulddegrees of belief be probabilities? Is it always rational to maximizeexpected utility? If so, why and what is its utility? What is a solutionto a game? What does a game-theoretic solution concept such asNash equilibrium say about how rational players will, or should, actin a game? How are the values and the actions of groups, institutionsand societies related to the values and actions of the individuals thatconstitute them?V. McGee



24.230 Meta-ethicsPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorU (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Considers a range of philosophical questions about the foundationsof morality, such as whether and in what sense morality is objective,the nature of moral discourse, and how we can come to knowright from wrong. Instruction and practice in oral and writtencommunication provided.J. Khoo

24.231 EthicsPrereq: One philosophy subjectU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Systematic study of central theories in ethics, including egoism, actand rule utilitarianism, intuitionism, emotivism, rights theories, andcontractualism. Discussion and readings also focus on problemsassociated with moral conflicts, justice, the relationship betweenrightness and goodness, objective vs. subjective moral judgments,moral truth, and relativism.T. Schapiro

24.235[J] Philosophy of LawSame subject as 17.021[J]Prereq: One Philosophy subject or permission of instructorU (Spring)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Examines fundamental issues in philosophy of law, such as thenature and limits of law and a legal system, and the relation of law tomorality, with particular emphasis on the philosophical issues andproblems associated with privacy, liberty, justice, punishment, andresponsibility. Historical and contemporary readings, including courtcases. Instruction and practice in oral and written communicationprovided.Sta

24.236 Topics in Social Theory and PracticeSubject meets with 24.636Prereq: One philsophy subject or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

An in-depth consideration of a topic in social theory with reflectionon its implications for social change. Examples of topics includerace and racism; punishment and prison reform; global justice andhuman rights; gender and global care chains; environmentalismand industrial agriculture; bioethics, disability, and humanenhancement; capitalism and commodication; and sexuality andthe family. Readings draw from both social science and philosophywith special attention to the normative literature relevant to theissue. Students taking graduate version complete additionalassignments.S. Haslanger

24.237[J] Feminist ThoughtSame subject as 17.007[J], WGS.301[J]Subject meets with 17.006[J], 24.637[J]Prereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Analyzes theories of gender and politics, especially ideologies ofgender and their construction; denitions of public and privatespheres; gender issues in citizenship, the development of thewelfare state, experiences of war and revolution, class formation,and the politics of sexuality. Graduate students are expected topursue the subject in greater depth through reading and individualresearch. Limited to 15.E. Wood

24.241 Logic IPrereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Introduction to the aims and techniques of formal logic. The logic oftruth functions and quantiers. The concepts of validity and truthand their relation to formal deduction. Applications of logic and theplace of logic in philosophy.V. McGee



24.242 Logic IIPrereq: 24.241 or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

The central results of modern logic: the completeness of predicatelogic, recursive functions, the incompleteness of arithmetic, theunprovability of consistency, the indenability of truth, Skolem-Löwenheim theorems, and nonstandard models.V. McGee

24.243 Classical Set TheoryPrereq: 24.241 or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Introduction to the basic concepts and results of standard, i.e.,Zermelo-Fraenkel, set theory, the axioms of ZF, ordinal and cardinalarithmetic, the structure of the set-theoretic universe, the axiom ofchoice, the (generalized) continuum hypothesis, inaccessibles, andbeyond.V. McGee

24.244 Modal LogicPrereq: 24.241U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Sentential and quantied modal logic, with emphasis on the modeltheory ("possible worlds semantics"). Soundness, completeness,and characterization results for alternative systems. Tense anddynamic logics, epistemic logics, as well as logics of necessity andpossibility. Applications in philosophy, theoretical computer science,and linguistics.V. McGee

24.245 Theory of ModelsPrereq: 24.241 or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Studies fundamental results in the model theory of the rst-order predicate calculus. Includes completeness, compactness,Löwenheim-Skolem, omitting types, ultraproducts, and categoricityin a cardinal, starting with Tarski's denition of logical consequence,in terms of truth in a model.V. McGee

24.251 Introduction to Philosophy of LanguagePrereq: One philosophy subjectU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Examines views on the nature of meaning, reference, and truth,and their bearing on the use of language in communication. Noknowledge of logic or linguistics presupposed. Instruction andpractice in oral and written communication provided.J. Khoo

24.252 Language and PowerPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Explores topics at the intersection of philosophy of language andsocial/political philosophy. Topics may include linguistic harm,free speech, speech in non-cooperative contexts (lying, insincerity,antagonistic interlocutors), propaganda, pejoratives, and therelationship of language to features of the social world (race, gender,ideology). Instruction and practice in oral and written communicationprovided.J. Khoo

24.253 Philosophy of MathematicsPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Philosophical issues about or related to mathematics, including theexistence and nature of basic mathematical objects such as numbersand sets, how we can come to have knowledge of such objects, thestatus of mathematical truth, the relation of mathematics to logic,and whether classical logic can be called into question.V. McGee

24.260 Topics in PhilosophyPrereq: Two subjects in philosophyU (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Close examination of a single book, or group of related essays, withmajor signicance in recent philosophy. Subject matter varies fromyear to year. Intended primarily for majors and minors in philosophy.Opportunities are provided for oral presentation. Students will berequired to revise at least one paper in response to instructor'scomments.C. Hare



24.280 Foundations of ProbabilityPrereq: One philosophy subject or one subject on probabilityAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Topics include probability puzzles, common fallacies in probabilisticreasoning, defenses and criticisms of Kolmogorov's axiomatization,interpretations of probability (including the frequency, logical,propensity, and various subjectivist interpretations), the relationof objective chance to rational subjective credence, conditionalprobability, rules for updating probability, and proposals forsupplementing the probability calculus with further principles.R. White

24.292 Independent Study: PhilosophyPrereq: Any two subjects in philosophyU (Fall)Units arranged

Open to qualied students who wish to pursue special studiesor projects. Students electing this subject must consult theundergraduate ocer.Sta

24.293 Independent Study: PhilosophyPrereq: Any two subjects in philosophyU (Spring)Units arranged

Open to qualied students who wish to pursue special studiesor projects. Students electing this subject must consult theundergraduate ocer.Sta

24.S00 Special Subject: PhilosophyPrereq: NoneU (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Undergraduate subject that covers topics not oered in the regularcurriculum. Consult department to learn of oerings for a particularterm.Sta

24.S20 Special Subject: PhilosophyPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorU (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.


24.UR Undergraduate ResearchPrereq: NoneU (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)Units arranged [P/D/F]Can be repeated for credit.

Research opportunities in linguistics and philosophy. For furtherinformation, consult the departmental coordinators.Sta

24.URG Undergraduate ResearchPrereq: NoneU (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Research opportunities in linguistics and philosophy. For furtherinformation consult the departmental coordinators.Sta

Undergraduate Seminars

24.191 Being, Thinking, Doing (or Not): Ethics in Your LifePrereq: NoneU (Spring)2-0-4 units

Provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of ethical issuesthrough guided discussions that are geared to equip students forongoing reflection and action. Lectures and discussions with guestfaculty, as well as attendance at on-and o-campus events, exposestudents to ethical problems and resources for addressing them.Encourages students to work collaboratively as they clarify theirpersonal and vocational principles. Topics vary each term and willreflect the interests of those enrolled. Limited to 12.P. Weinmann



24.192 Language, Information, and PowerPrereq: One philosophy subject or permission of instructorU (Fall)Not oered regularly; consult department2-0-4 units

Explores foundational issues about language and communicationby investigating dierent ways language and its use aects variousaspects of lived experience. Topics include speech act theory, lying,propaganda, censorship, expressions of knowledge, communicationin non-cooperative contexts.J. Khoo

Graduate Subjects

24.400 Proseminar in Philosophy IPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)6-0-18 units

Advanced study of the basic problems of philosophy. Intended forrst-year graduate students in philosophy.A. Rayo

24.401 Proseminar in Philosophy IIPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)6-0-18 units

Advanced study of the basic problems of philosophy. Intended forrst-year graduate students in philosophy.C. Hare, J. Spencer

24.410 Topics in the History of PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Intensive study of a philosopher or philosophical movement. Contentvaries from year to year and subject may be taken repeatedly withpermission of instructor and advisor.Sta

24.420 Ancient PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-9 units

Investigates the origins of Western philosophy in ancient Greece.Aims both to understand the philosophical questions the Greekswere asking on their own terms, and to assess their answers to them.Examines how a human being can lead a good life, the relationshipbetween morality and happiness, our knowledge of the worldaround us, and the entities we need to appeal to in order to explainthat world. Students taking graduate version complete additionalassignments.Sta

24.500 Topics in Philosophy of MindPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Selected topics in philosophy of mind. Content varies from year toyear. Topics may include consciousness, mental representation,perception, and mental causation.J. Van Cleve

24.501 Problems in MetaphysicsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Systematic examination of selected problems in metaphysics.Content varies from year to year and subject may be taken repeatedlywith permission of instructor and advisor.B. Skow

24.502 Topics in Metaphysics and EthicsPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Systematic examination of selected problems concerning the relationbetween metaphysics and ethics, for example questions aboutpersonal identity and its relation to issues about fairness anddistribution, or questions about the relation between causation andresponsibility. Content may vary from year to year, and the subjectmay be taken repeatedly with the permission of the instructor andthe student's advisor.Sta



24.503 Topics in Philosophy of ReligionPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Selected topics in philosophy of religion. Content varies from year toyear. Topics may include the traditional arguments for the existenceof God, religious experience, the problem of evil, survival aerdeath, God and ethics.A. Byrne

24.504 Topics in AestheticsPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Selected topics in aesthetics. Content varies from year to year.Topics may include the denition of art, the expression of emotionin music, the nature of depiction, the role of artists intentions ininterpretation, and the relationship between moral and aestheticvalue.B. Skow

24.601 Topics in Moral PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Systematic examination of selected problems in moral philosophy.Content varies from year to year. Subject may be repeated only withpermission of instructor and advisor.T. Schapiro

24.602 Topics in the Philosophy of AgencyPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Systematic examination of selected problems in the theory ofagency. Content varies from year to year and subject may be takenrepeatedly with permission of instructor and advisor.T. Schapiro

24.611[J] Political PhilosophySame subject as 17.000[J]Prereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: G (Fall)Acad Year 2021-2022: Not oered3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

See description under subject 17.000[J].B. Zacka

24.635 Topics in Critical Social TheoryPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Explores topics arising within critical race theory, feminist theory,queer theory, disability studies, working class studies, and relatedinterdisciplinary eorts - both historical and contemporary - tounderstand and promote social justice.S. Haslanger

24.636 Topics in Social Theory and PracticeSubject meets with 24.236Prereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)3-0-9 units

An in-depth consideration of a topic in social theory with reflectionon its implications for social change. Examples of topics includerace and racism; punishment and prison reform; global justice andhuman rights; gender and global care chains; environmentalismand industrial agriculture; bioethics, disability, and humanenhancement; capitalism and commodication; and sexuality andthe family. Readings draw from both social science and philosophywith special attention to the normative literature relevant to theissue. Students taking graduate version complete additionalassignments.S. Haslanger

24.637[J] Feminist ThoughtSame subject as 17.006[J]Subject meets with 17.007[J], 24.237[J], WGS.301[J]Prereq: Permission of instructor, based on previous courseworkG (Spring)3-0-9 units

See description under subject 17.006[J]. Limited to 15.E. Wood



24.711 Topics in Philosophical LogicPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Problems of ontology, epistemology, and philosophy of languagethat bear directly on questions about the nature of logic and theconceptual analysis of logical theory, such as logical truth, logicalconsequence, and proof. Content varies from year to year and subjectmay be taken repeatedly upon permission of instructor and advisor.V. McGee

24.729 Topics in Philosophy of LanguagePrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Major issues in the philosophy of language. Topics change each yearand subject may be taken repeatedly with permission of instructor.J. Spencer

24.805 Topics in Theory of KnowledgePrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Major issues in theory of knowledge. Topics change each year andsubject may be taken repeatedly with permission of instructor.C. Hare, R. White

24.810 Topics in Philosophy of SciencePrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Topics in the foundations of science: the nature of conceptsand theories, the distinction between empirical and theoreticalknowledge claims, realist and instrumentalist interpretation of suchclaims, and the analysis of scientic explanation. The central topicvaries from year to year. Subject may be taken repeatedly with thepermission of instructor and advisor.Sta

24.891 Independent Study: PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Open to qualied graduate students in philosophy who wish topursue special studies or projects. Consult with the intendedsupervisor and the Chair of the Committee on Graduate Students inPhilosophy before registering.B. Skow

24.892 Independent Study: PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring, Summer)Units arranged [P/D/F]Can be repeated for credit.

Open to qualied graduate students in philosophy who wish topursue special studies or projects. Consult with the intendedsupervisor and the Chair of the Committee on Graduate Students inPhilosophy before registering.Consult B. Skow

24.893 Dissertation WorkshopPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring)2-0-1 units

Workshop for students working on their dissertations. Restricted toPhilosophy doctoral students.A. Byrne

24.894 Placement Workshop (New)Prereq: NoneG (Fall, Spring)2-0-1 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Workshop for students planning to apply for academic jobs in thefollowing year. Advice and feedback on preparation of applicationmaterials, including writing sample, thesis abstract, and coursesyllabi. Limited to philosophy graduate students.Sta



24.899 Topics in Linguistics and PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Selected topics at the intersection of linguistics and philosophy.Intended for graduate students in either linguistics or philosophy.Topics vary from year to year.K. von Fintel, S. Iatridou, J. Khoo

24.THG Graduate ThesisPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Program of research and writing of thesis, to be arranged by thestudent with supervising committee.Sta

24.S40 Special Seminar: PhilosophyPrereq: NoneG (Fall)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Graduate subject that covers topics not oered in the regularcurriculum. Consult department to learn of oerings for a particularterm.Sta

24.S41 Special Seminar: PhilosophyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 units


Linguistics

Undergraduate Subjects

24.900 Introduction to LinguisticsPrereq: NoneU (Fall, Spring)4-0-8 units. HASS-S; CI-HCredit cannot also be received for 24.9000

Studies what is language and what does knowledge of a languageconsist of. It asks how do children learn languages and is languageunique to humans; why are there many languages; how dolanguages change; is any language or dialect superior to another;and how are speech and writing related. Context for these andsimilar questions provided by basic examination of internalorganization of sentences, words, and sound systems. Assumes noprior training in linguistics.Fall: A. Albright Spring: N. Richards

24.9000 How Language WorksPrereq: NoneU (Spring)Not oered regularly; consult department4-0-8 units. HASS-SCredit cannot also be received for 24.900

Introduces the eld of linguistics as the scientic study of thehuman capacity for language, and its interaction with other cognitivesystems. Examines specic phenomena that reveal the general lawsand principles that govern the structure of all human languages,as well as the ways in which languages do dier. Topics includelanguage acquisition and use, language change, dialects, andlanguage technologies, with a special focus on collection andanalysis of linguistic data. Assumes no prior training in linguistics.K. von Fintel

24.901 Language and Its Structure I: PhonologySubject meets with 24.931Prereq: 24.900 or 24.9000U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Introduction to fundamental concepts in phonological theory andtheir relation to issues in philosophy and cognitive psychology.Articulatory and acoustic phonetics, distinctive features and thestructure of feature systems, underlying representations andunderspecication, phonological rules and derivations, syllablestructure, accentual systems, and the morphology-phonologyinterface. Examples and exercises from a variety of languages.Students taking graduate version complete dierent assignments.D. Steriade



24.902 Language and Its Structure II: SyntaxSubject meets with 24.932Prereq: 24.900 or 24.9000U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Introduction to fundamental concepts in syntactic theory and itsrelation to issues in philosophy and cognitive psychology. Examplesand exercises from a variety of languages. Students taking graduateversion complete dierent assignments.D. Pesetsky

24.903 Language and Its Structure III: Semantics andPragmaticsSubject meets with 24.933Prereq: 24.900 or 24.9000U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Introduction to fundamental concepts in semantic and pragmatictheory. Basic issues of form and meaning in natural languages.Ambiguities of structure and of meaning. Compositionality. Wordmeaning. Quantication and logical form. Contexts: indexicality,discourse, presupposition and conversational implicature. Studentstaking graduate version complete dierent assignments.P. Elliott

24.904 Language AcquisitionPrereq: 24.900, 24.9000, or permission of instructorU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Covers the major results in the study of rst-language acquisitionconcentrating on the development of linguistic structure, includingmorphology, syntax, and semantics. Universal aspects ofdevelopment are discussed, as well as a variety of cross-linguisticphenomena. Theories of language learning are considered, includingparameter-setting and maturation.A. Aravind

24.905[J] Laboratory in PsycholinguisticsSame subject as 9.59[J]Prereq: NoneU (Spring)3-3-6 units. Institute LAB

See description under subject 9.59[J].E. Gibson

24.906[J] The Linguistic Study of BilingualismSame subject as 21G.024[J]Prereq: 24.900 or 24.9000U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-S; CI-H

Development of bilingualism in human history (from<em>Australopithecus</em> to present day). Focuses on linguisticaspects of bilingualism; models of bilingualism and languageacquisition; competence versus performance; eects of bilingualismon other domains of human cognition; brain imaging studies; earlyversus late bilingualism; opportunities to observe and conductoriginal research; and implications for educational policies amongothers. Students participate in six online web meetings with partnerinstitutions. Taught in English. Enrollment limited.S. Flynn

24.908 Creole Languages and Caribbean IdentitiesPrereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-S; CI-H

Caribbean Creole languages result from language contact viacolonization and the slave trade. Explores creolization fromcognitive, historical and comparative perspectives and evaluatespopular theories about "Creole genesis" and the role of languageacquisition. Also explores non-linguistic creolization in literature,religion and music in the Caribbean and addresses issues ofCaribbean identities by examining Creole speakers' and others'beliefs toward Creole cultures. Draws comparisons with aspects ofAfrican-American culture.M. DeGra

24.909 Field Methods in LinguisticsPrereq: 24.901, 24.902, and permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-1-8 units. Institute LAB

Explores the structure of an unfamiliar language through direct workwith a native speaker. Students complete a grammatical sketch ofthe phonology and syntax, work in groups on specic aspects ofthe language's structure, and assemble reports to create a partialgrammar of the language. Provides instruction and practice inwritten and oral communication. Enrollment limited.Sta



24.910 Advanced Topics in Linguistic AnalysisPrereq: (24.901, 24.902, and 24.903) or permission of instructorU (Spring)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-9 units. HASS-SCan be repeated for credit.

In-depth study of an advanced topic in phonetics, phonology,morphology, syntax or semantics, with a focus on the interfacesamong these grammar components. Provides practice in written andoral communication.S. Flynn

24.912[J] Black Matters: Introduction to Black StudiesSame subject as 21H.106[J], 21L.008[J], 21W.741[J], CMS.150[J],WGS.190[J]Prereq: NoneU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-A, HASS-H; CI-H

Interdisciplinary survey of people of African descent that draws onthe overlapping approaches of history, literature, anthropology,legal studies, media studies, performance, linguistics, and creativewriting. Connects the experiences of African-Americans and ofother American minorities, focusing on social, political, and culturalhistories, and on linguistic patterns. Includes lectures, discussions,workshops, and required eld trips that involve minimal cost tostudents.M. Degra & D. Fox Harrell

24.914 Language Variation and ChangePrereq: 24.900 or 24.9000U (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Explores how linguistic systems vary across time and space. Usescase studies in particular languages to examine how languagetransmission and social factors shape the grammatical systems ofindividual speakers, and how grammar constrains variation andchange. Students work in groups to analyze corpus or survey data.Provides instruction and practice in written and oral communication.A. Albright

24.915 Linguistic PhoneticsSubject meets with 24.963Prereq: 24.900 or 24.9000Acad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

The study of speech sounds: how we produce and perceive themand their acoustic properties. The influence of the production andperception systems on phonological patterns and sound change.Acoustic analysis and experimental techniques. Students taking thegraduate version complete dierent assignments.E. Flemming

24.916[J] Old English and BeowulfSame subject as 21L.601[J]Prereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: U (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-H

See description under subject 21L.601[J]. Limited to 16.A. Bahr

24.917 ConLangs: How to Construct a LanguagePrereq: NoneU (Fall)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Explores languages that have been deliberately constructed(ConLangs), including Esperanto, Klingon, and Tolkien's Elvish. Students construct their own languages while consideringphenomena from a variety of languages of the world. Topics includewriting systems, phonology (basic units of speech and how theycombine), morphology (structure of words), syntax (how wordsare put together), and semantics (the expression of meaning, andwhat language leaves unexpressed). Through regular assignments,students describe their constructed language in light of the topicsdiscussed. Final assignment is a grammatical description of the newlanguage.N. Richards



24.918 Workshop in Linguistic ResearchPrereq: (24.901, 24.902, and 24.903) or permission of instructorU (Spring)3-0-9 units. HASS-S

Students pursue individual research projects in linguisticanalysis under the guidance of an advisor. Class meets weekly forpresentation of student research and to critically discuss backgroundreading. Focuses on developing skills in linguistic argumentationand presentation of ndings. Provides practice in written and oralcommunication. Includes a 20-page nal paper that each studentpresents to the class.S. Flynn

24.919 Independent Study: LinguisticsPrereq: NoneU (Fall, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Open to qualied students who wish to pursue special studies orprojects.Consult Department Headquarters

24.UR Undergraduate ResearchPrereq: NoneU (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)Units arranged [P/D/F]Can be repeated for credit.

Research opportunities in linguistics and philosophy. For furtherinformation, consult the departmental coordinators.Sta

24.URG Undergraduate ResearchPrereq: NoneU (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Research opportunities in linguistics and philosophy. For furtherinformation consult the departmental coordinators.Sta

24.S90 Special Subject: LinguisticsPrereq: 24.900 or permission of instructorU (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.


Graduate Subjects

24.921 Independent Study: LinguisticsPrereq: Permission of advisorG (Fall, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Open to qualied graduate students in linguistics who wish topursue special studies or projects.Consult Department Headquarters

24.922 Independent Study: LinguisticsPrereq: Permission of advisorG (Fall, Spring, Summer)Units arranged [P/D/F]Can be repeated for credit.

Open to qualied graduate students in linguistics who wish topursue special studies or projects.Consult Department Headquarters

24.931 Language and Its Structure I: PhonologySubject meets with 24.901Prereq: 24.900, 24.9000, or permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Introduction to fundamental concepts in phonological theory andtheir relation to issues in philosophy and cognitive psychology.Articulatory and acoustic phonetics, distinctive features and thestructure of feature systems, underlying representations andunderspecication, phonological rules and derivations, syllablestructure, accentual systems, and the morphology-phonologyinterface. Examples and exercises from a variety of languages.Students taking graduate version complete dierent assignments.D. Steriade

24.932 Language and Its Structure II: SyntaxSubject meets with 24.902Prereq: 24.900, 24.9000, or permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Introduction to fundamental concepts in syntactic theory and itsrelation to issues in philosophy and cognitive psychology. Examplesand exercises from a variety of languages. Students taking graduateversion complete dierent assignments.D. Pesetsky



24.933 Language and Its Structure III: Semantics andPragmaticsSubject meets with 24.903Prereq: 24.900, 24.9000, or permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-9 units

Introduction to fundamental concepts in semantic and pragmatictheory. Basic issues of form and meaning in natural languages.Ambiguities of structure and of meaning. Compositionality. Wordmeaning. Quantication and logical form. Contexts: indexicality,discourse, presupposition and conversational implicature. Studentstaking graduate version complete dierent assignments.P. Elliott

24.942 Topics in the Grammar of a Less Familiar LanguagePrereq: 24.951G (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Students work with a native speaker of a language whose structure issignicantly dierent from English, examining aspects of its syntax,semantics, and phonology. In the course of doing this, studentswill acquire techniques for gathering linguistic data from nativespeakers. Enrollment limited.M. Kenstowicz, N. Richards

24.943 Syntax of a Language (Family)Prereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 units

Detailed examination of the syntax of a particular language orlanguage family, and theories proposed in the existing literature toaccount for the observed phenomena.M. DeGra

24.946 Linguistic Theory and Japanese LanguagePrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-6 units

Detailed examination of the grammar of Japanese and its structurewhich is signicantly dierent from English, with special emphasison problems of interest in the study of linguistic universals. Datafrom a broad group of languages studied for comparison withJapanese. Assumes familiarity with linguistic theory.S. Miyagawa

24.947 Language Disorders in ChildrenPrereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)3-0-9 units

Reading and discussion of current linguistic theory, rst languageacquisition and language disorders in young children. Focus ondevelopment of a principled understanding of language disordersat the phonological, morphological and syntactic levels. Examinesways in which these disorders confront theories of language andacquisition.S. Flynn

24.948 Linguistic Theory and Second and Third LanguageAcquisition in Children and AdultsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-6 units

Students read and discuss current linguistic theory, rst languageacquisition research, and data concerning second and third languageacquisition in adults and children. Focuses on developmentof a theory of second and third language acquisition withincurrent theories of language. Emphasizes syntactic, lexical, andphonological development. Examines ways in which these bodiesof data confront theories of language and the mind. When possible,students participate in practica with second and/or third languagelearners.S. Flynn

24.949 Language Acquisition I (New)Prereq: 24.952, 24.970, and 24.973G (Fall)3-0-6 units

Lectures, reading, and discussion of current theory and dataconcerning the psychology and biology of language acquisition.Emphasizes learning of syntax, semantics, and morphology, togetherwith some discussion of phonology, and especially research relatinggrammatical theory and learnability theory to empirical studies ofchildren.A. Aravind



24.951 Introduction to SyntaxPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Introduction to theories of syntax underlying work currentlybeing done within the lexical-functional and government-bindingframeworks. Organized into three interrelated parts, each focusedupon a particular area of concern: phrase structure; the lexicon;and principles and parameters. Grammatical rules and processesconstitute a focus of attention throughout the course that serveto reveal both modular structure of grammar and interaction ofgrammatical components.D. Pesetsky

24.952 Advanced SyntaxPrereq: 24.951G (Spring)3-0-9 units

Problems in constructing an explanatory theory of grammaticalrepresentation. Topics drawn from current work on anaphora,casemarking, control, argument structure, Wh- and relatedconstructions. Study of language-particular parameters in theformulation of linguistic universals.A. Aravind, S. Iatridou

24.954 Pragmatics in Linguistic TheoryPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Formal theories of context-dependency, presupposition, implicature,context-change, focus and topic. Special emphasis on the divisionof labor between semantics and pragmatics. Applications to theanalysis of quantication, deniteness, presupposition projection,conditionals and modality, anaphora, questions and answers.P. Elliott, D. Fox

24.955 More Advanced SyntaxPrereq: 24.951 and 24.952G (Fall)3-0-9 units

An advanced-level survey of topics in syntax.D. Fox, S. Iatridou

24.956 Topics in SyntaxPrereq: 24.951G (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

The nature of linguistic universals that make it possible forlanguages to dier and place limits on these dierences. Study ofselected problem areas show how data from particular languagescontribute to the development of a strong theory of universalgrammar and how such a theory dictates solutions to traditionalproblems in the syntax of particular languages.Fall: S. Miyagawa, N. Richards , Spring: A. R. Deal, D. Pesetsky

24.960 Syntactic ModelsPrereq: 24.951 and 24.952G (Spring)3-0-9 units

Comparison of dierent proposed architectures for the syntaxmodule of grammar. Subject traces several themes across a widevariety of approaches, with emphasis on testable dierencesamong models. Models discussed include ancient and medievalproposals, structuralism, early generative grammar, generativesemantics, government-binding theory/minimalism, LFG, HPSG, TAG,functionalist perspectives and others.D. Pesetsky

24.961 Introduction to PhonologyPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

First half of a year-long introduction to the phonological componentof grammar. Introduces the major research results, questions, andanalytic techniques in the eld of phonology. Focuses on segmentalfeature structure and prosodic structure while the sequel (24.962)considers the interfaces of phonology with morphology, syntax, andthe lexicon. Students should have basic knowledge of articulatoryphonetic description and phonetic transcription.E. Flemming, M. Kenstowicz

24.962 Advanced PhonologyPrereq: 24.961G (Spring)3-0-9 units

Continuation of 24.961.D. Steriade



24.963 Linguistic PhoneticsSubject meets with 24.915Prereq: NoneAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Fall)3-0-9 units

The study of speech sounds: how we produce and perceive themand their acoustic properties. The influence of the production andperception systems on phonological patterns and sound change.Acoustic analysis and experimental techniques. Students taking thegraduate version complete dierent assignments.E. Flemming

24.964 Topics in PhonologyPrereq: 24.961G (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

In-depth study of a topic in current phonological theory.Spring: E. Flemming

24.965 MorphologyPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)3-0-9 units

Structure of the lexicon and its function in grammar. Propertiesof word-formation rules. Problems of selection, productivity, andcompositionality. Systems of inflectional categories: case andtense. Phonological aspects of word structure: allomorphy, cyclicphonology, constituent structure, and boundaries. Detailed analysisof languages with complex morphology.A. Albright

24.966[J] Laboratory on the Physiology, Acoustics, andPerception of SpeechSame subject as 6.542[J], HST.712[J]Prereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)2-2-8 units

See description under subject 6.542[J].S. Shattuck-Hufnagel, J.-Y. Choi

24.967 Topics in Experimental PhonologyPrereq: 24.961, 24.963, or permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Experimental techniques to test predictions drawn fromcurrent phonological theory. Includes a survey of experimentalmethodologies currently in use, an introduction to experimentaldesign and analysis, and critical consideration of how experimentalresults are used to inform theory.A. Albright, E. Flemming

24.970 Introduction to SemanticsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall)3-0-9 units

Basic issues of form and meaning in formalized and naturallanguages. Conceptual, logical, and linguistic questions about truth.Reference, modal, and intensional notions. The role of grammar inlanguage use and context-dependency. Ambiguities of structure andmeaning, and dimensions of semantic variation in syntax and thelexicon.K. von Fintel

24.973 Advanced SemanticsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-9 units

Current work on semantics and questions of logic and meaning forsyntactic systems in generative grammar.A. R. Deal, M. Hackl

24.979 Topics in SemanticsPrereq: Permission of instructorAcad Year 2020-2021: Not oeredAcad Year 2021-2022: G (Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Seminar on current research in semantics and generative grammar.Topics may vary from year to year.P. Elliott, K. von Fintel, D. Fox, S. Iatridou



24.981 Topics in Computational PhonologyPrereq: 24.961 or permission of instructorG (Spring)3-0-9 units

Exploration of issues in the computational modeling of phonology:nding generalizations in data, formalisms for representingphonological knowledge, modeling grammar acquisition, and testingphonological theories by means of implemented models. Experienceusing and developing models, including preparing training data,running simulations, and interpreting their results. No background inprogramming or machine learning is assumed.A. Albright

24.991 Workshop in LinguisticsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

An intensive group tutorial/seminar for discussion of research beingconducted by participants. No listeners.Fall: M. DeGra, D. Steriade, Spring: M. Hackl, M. Kenstowicz

24.993 Tutorial in Linguistics and Related FieldsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Individual or small-group tutorial in which students, under theguidance of a faculty member, explore the interrelations withlinguistics of some specied area.Consult Department Headquarters

24.995 Linguistics Professional PerspectivePrereq: NoneG (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)0-1-0 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Required for linguistics doctoral students to explore and gainprofessional perspective through industry and academicexperiences. Professional perspective options include industryinternships, academic internships, or training for academia. Foran internship experience, an oer from a company or organizationis required prior to enrollment. A written report is required uponcompletion of the experience. Proposals subject to departmentalapproval in consultation with advisor.Consult Department

24.THG Graduate ThesisPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer)Units arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Program of research and writing of thesis, to be arranged by thestudent with supervising committee.Sta

24.S93 Special Seminar: LinguisticsPrereq: NoneG (Fall, Spring)Not oered regularly; consult departmentUnits arrangedCan be repeated for credit.

Covers topics not oered in the regular curriculum. Consultdepartment to learn of oerings for a particular term.Sta

24.S94 Special Seminar: LinguisticsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall; rst half of term)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-3 unitsCan be repeated for credit.

Half-term subject that covers topics in linguistics not oered in theregular curriculum. Consult department to learn of oerings for aparticular term.Sta

24.S95 Special Seminar: LinguisticsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring)3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.




24.S96 Special Seminar: LinguisticsPrereq: Permission of instructorG (Fall, Spring)Not oered regularly; consult department3-0-9 unitsCan be repeated for credit.



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