Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory OpenCourseWare: A Free Online Graduate Level Linguistics Course by MIT

Published Jan 12, 2009

RSS Feed

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) free OpenCourseWare language class 'Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory' covers the importance of context in understanding semantics. This is a graduate level course intended for students with a background in linguistics.

Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory: Course Description

The Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT in Cambridge, MA, offers this OpenCourseWare exploring a practical understanding of context in interpreting meaning of the spoken word. Pragmatics covers influences in language besides the semantic system. It explains how a sentence can be interpreted outside of its semantic representations through context and presuppositions. Students learn how people correct some of the vagueness of language through these alternate, logical inferences. Linguistics professors Dr. Daniel Fox and Dr. Paula Menéndez-Benitoand teach the course. As a graduate level course, an understanding of basic linguistics is recommended.

This OpenCourseWare includes a syllabus, recommended reading list, exhaustive lecture notes, assignments and a comprehensive download of the course material. Those interested in this free course should visit the Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory course page.

Featured School Choices: