Speaking of Things and Stuff: The Semantics of Plurals and Mass Terms

This course is an introduction to the semantics of plural and mass terms. These expressions have been at the center of a lively debate in linguistics and philosophy, generating a significant amount of work in both fields. The course provides an overview of the main questions and controversies associated with the semantics of plurals and mass terms. It aims to introduce and assess the main approaches in the literature. Special attention will be given to the methodological principles and frameworks in which those approaches are developed. Topics covered include: the semantic similarities between plurals and mass terms, singularizing approaches to plurals, plural reference and plural logic, contemporary analyses of mass terms, the ontology of plurals and mass terms, higher-order and plurals, and the interaction between plurals and modalities.