The course is a PhD-level introduction to the research area of programming languages. It covers basic theoretical and practical techniques for modeling and analyzing programming languages.

At the meta level, the course exposes student to the basic ideas of research in computer science: how to ask questions, elements of solutions.

Not: The course does not teach people how to pick or construct the best programming language for a project. Answer this (common) question would be as much a study in sociology and psychology (and the conservative nature of post-graduate programmers) as a study in technical factors. (The technically best programming language for a task is almost never chosen "because we have never worked with that language before".)

Preparation for First Meeting: Take an 8x11, fold it in half along the long axis, and fill one half of one page with the name of your favorite programming language. -- In the future such announcements will show up on the course notifications, called "blog".