LSA.113 | Introduction to Optimality Theory

John J. McCarthy
MW 1:00-2:40
location: 32-141
course web site: http://people.umass.edu/jjmccart/lsa113/lsa113.html

This course will explain the properties and results of Optimality Theory in a way that is accessible to students who may have little or no prior background (or interest) in phonology. The focus will be on understanding the theory itself and how it works, rather than on the mechanics of analysis. Textbook: McCarthy, John J. (2002) A Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prerequisite: Familiarity with the goals of linguistic theory and the nature of linguistic analysis.

Required Textbook
Title: Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory
Author: John J. McCarthy
Publisher: Cambridge Univ Press, any edition
ISBN: 0521791944