Dr. Chris Kennedy

Professor

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Biography

Chris Kennedy is a William H. Colvin Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Chicago, where he also serves as Faculty Director for the Undergraduate Major in Cognitive Science. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1997 and has been teaching at UChicago since 2005. His research interests include Semantics, Pragmatics, Syntax, and the Philosophy of Language. Over the years, he has published several notable works, including books and articles that discuss various aspects of language, such as adjectival semantics and pragmatic reasoning. His recent publications focus on topics like familiarity inferences, degree quantifiers, and the interactions between semantic composition and perspectival content. Kennedy's teaching includes graduate courses on semantics and pragmatics, with a focus on the empirical issues and analytical tools related to formal semantics. He also engages in research that bridges cognitive science and linguistics, exploring questions about the relationship between mental and physical processes in understanding language.

Research Interests

Courses

Mind, Brain and Meaning (COGS 20001, LING 26520) Semantics Pragmatics II (LING 30302)

Requirements for University of Chicago

Doctorate Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:104
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree Writing sample Candidate statement
Application Checklist
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Specialization Notes

Department of Philosophy