Introduction to Semantics:
Class Handouts


Unit 1: The Basics

The Conceptual Foundations of Truth-Conditional Semantics

The Formal Foundations: A Basic Introduction to Sets and Functions

The Formalization of Meaning



Unit 2: Expanding The Basic System

Expanding Our Formalism, Part 1

Expanding Our Formalism, Part 2



Unit 3: Some More Structures of English

Common Nouns and Adjectives in Predicate Position

The Semantics of Adjectival Modification

The Semantics of Definite DPs



Unit 4: Conversational Implicature

Conversational Implicature: The Basics of the 'Gricean Theory'

Conversational Implicature: Applying the Gricean Theory to Linguistic Puzzles



Unit 5: Pronouns, Variable Assignments, Movement, and Relative Clauses

Pronouns and Variable Assignments

The Semantics of Movement and Relative Clauses



Unit 6: Quantificational DPs and Covert Movement

The Semantics of Quantificational DPs



Final Summary of Course Contents