L600: Advanced Phonological Description (3 cr)
Instructor: Daniel A. Dinnsen
TR 1:00-2:15P
BH 011
Section 2905

Prerequisite: LING L542 or equivalent.

Description:
With standard rule-based derivational theories as a point of
comparison, this course introduces the basic principles and
workings of optimality theory (a recent constraint-based approach
to phonology).  The focus will be on formal and empirical
differences with the intent of revealing new insights about
phonology.  Some of the optimality theoretic topics to be
considered will include: richness of the base, lexicon
optimization, the emergence of the unmarked, local conjunction,
sympathy, harmonic constraint rankings, constraint demotion, and
positional faithfulness (versus positional markedness).  Readings
will be drawn from the current literature to illustrate
theoretical constructs and argumentation.  Students are expected
to define one or more problems in a series of short papers
formulated within derivational and optimality theoretic
frameworks.  These papers and associated feedback are intended to
develop writing and argumentation skills in the different
theoretical frameworks.  Students will also be afforded experience
in giving a professional-style oral presentation of their final
research paper.

For more information, contact --
Dan Dinnsen
Department of Linguistics
Memorial Hall 332
Phone: 855-7948
email: dinnsen@indiana.edu