John J. McCarthy is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He received his PhD in 1979 from MIT and has taught at three previous LSA Summer Institutes (1987, 1991, 1997). Currently, the main goal of his research is to understand and possibly improve the properties of Optimality Theory, with a particular focus on the nature of constraints and candidates. Some recent representative publications include A Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory (Cambridge University Press) [Korean translation by Young-Seok Kim and Jin-hyung Kim published 2003 by Hankook Publishing Company, Seoul]; “Comparative Markedness,” in Theoretical Linguistics; and “OT Constraints are Categorical,” in Phonology.

Introduction to Optimality Theory | LSA.113
MW 1:00-2:40
Three Week Course | First Session