Course Description: We will explore approaches to linguistic communication from the perspective of rational behavior under uncertainty. Recent work in this vein has made much progress towards the development of rigorously formalized models with falsifiable predictions, both at the level of speakers' and hearers' choices in individual interactions and at the macro-level of language evolution. Less work has been done so far on the empirical verification of those models. Theoretical topics to be discussed depend on students' preferences, but will likely include applications of Game Theory and/or Bi-directional Optimality Theory in semantics and pragmatics. Further potential topics include the interaction between context and content in the use and interpretation of vague, ambiguous or semantically underspecified expressions; conversational implicatures; logical tools for modeling uncertainty and information flow in multi-agent systems; theoretical, experimental and computational work on dialogue and common ground. Aside from theoretical studies, students are strongly encouraged to carry out empirical work on topics of their own choice.
Prerequisites: Graduate status or
permission of the instructor.
Teaching method: Lectures, student
presentations, and discussions.
Readings: Selected readings from
the primary literature.
Evaluation: Completion of
readings, regular attendance and involvment in discussions are
expected of all participants. All students are expected to present at
least one of the readings in class. In addition, students taking the
course for credit are required to turn in a paper on a topic of their
choice, for which they must have my approval by the middle of
May. Paper topics may be theoretical or empirical; the latter may, for
instance, be an experiment design, ideally (though not necessarily)
with a pilot study. The paper is due on Monday, June 9. Late papers
will not be accepted unless prior approval is given.
Notice to students with
disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the 1973
Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act,
Northwestern University is committed to providing equal access to all
programming. Students with disabilities seeking accommodations are
encouraged to contact the office of Services for Students with
Disabilities (SSD) at 847-467-5530 or
ssd@northwestern.edu. SSD is located in the basement of
Scott Hall. Additionally, I am available to discuss
disability-related needs during office hours or by appointment.