Schedule of topics

Phonological Theory I · Spring 2024

Highlighted dates show future plans that may be subject to adjustment.

Tuesday
Thursday
[outline] Jan 11
Intro to the course
Phonology in mental grammar
[outline] Jan 16
Phonological analysis basics:
Contrast, distribution, productivity
[outline] Jan 18
Complementary/contrastive distribution
"Basic" allophones and URs
[outline] Jan 23 | on Zoom
Review: Phonetics, distribution, URs
Jan 25 | self-paced
Phonetics & distribution quiz
[outline] Jan 30
Morpheme alternations and URs
Model-building in linguistics
[outline] Feb 1
Model-building in linguistics
Feature theory
[outline] Feb 6
Feature theory and phonological classes
Argumentation in phonology
[outline] Feb 8
Intro to syllable structure
Syllable structure and argumentation
Feb 13
WELL-BEING DAY
[outline] Feb 15
Syllable weight
Sonority and syllable structure
Feb 20
Analysis assignment (1):
Segmental phonology
[outline] Feb 22
Syllable-structure assignment
Motivating constraint-based phonology
[outline] Feb 27
Intro to Optimality Theory
Fundamentals of the formalism
[outline] Feb 29
Making valid ranking arguments
Finding "useful losers"
[outline] Mar 5
Practice with phonological analysis
From data set to ranking arguments
[outline] Mar 7
Richness of the Base and input forms
Mar 12
SPRING BREAK
Mar 14
SPRING BREAK
[outline] Mar 19
Allophonic alternations in OT
[outline] Mar 21
Factorial typology & segt distribution
[outline] Mar 26
Faithfulness: Correspondence Theory
Mar 28
WELL-BEING DAY
[squib info] Apr 2
Analysis assignment (2) due
Squib information & workshop
[outline] Apr 4
Formalizing markedness constraints
[outline] Apr 9
Discussion & review for exam
Apr 11
Phonological concepts exam
[outline] Apr 16
Cumulative constraint interaction
Intro to Harmonic Grammar
[outline] Apr 18
Phonological acquisition and variation
Intro to the GLA
Apr 23
Current topics in phonological theory
Apr 25
Squib presentations
Apr 30
Squib presentations

** Final exam period (squib due): Th May 9, 4:00pm **