Linguistics 514 –Elly van Gelderen
Spring 2015 – TTh 10:30-11:45 – EDB L1-36
E-mail: and home page:
Office Hours:Office Hours: T and Th 8:15-8:45 in LL 173N; T 12-1; W 9-11 in LL 226C; and by appointment/e-mail.; and by appointment/e-mail. Office: LL 226C
Required Text:
David Adger2003. Core Syntax, Oxford University Press.
Objectives:
The main objective of this course is to come to understand the nature of syntactic structures. For instance, what are the elements which constitute a sentence and what variation is possible in a sentence. We will discuss issues such as categories and features, phrase structure, reflexives and pronouns, wh-questions, Tense, Mood, Aspect, and Topic/Focus.
A second objective is to introduceChomsky's (1995) Minimalist Program. Recently, a biolinguistic approach has been reemphasized (Chomsky 2005; 2007) and we will not only discuss what syntax (features, Phrase structure, c-command) is but why it may be that way (demands of other systems). Within Minimalism, cartographic approaches are useful and we will examine the CP-layer, the TP-layer, and the VP-layer.We will try to understand the relationship between universal and language specific principles
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this class, (a) students will know how to provide a structural analysis of a sentence in English and in other well-glossed languages (using CP, TP, vP, DP etc), (b) students will be able to argue why such an analysis is correct, and (c) students will understand the theoretical foundations of generative syntax.
Organization
The classes will be a mixture of lectures, discussions, and syntactic exercises. We may add an optional time period for tree drawing.
Evaluation:
3 Homework Assignments @ 30 points each:90 points
2 In-class exams @ 30 points each60
Final paper/project:50______
200 points
NB: See schedule below for dates! Students are responsible for the material covered in the book, assigned articles and, the class lectures. Electronic assignments/papers cannot be accepted.Points will be converted into a Grade as follows: 200 - 195: A+, 194 - 187: A, 186 - 180: A-, 179 - 175: B+, 174 - 167: B, 166 - 160: B-, 159 - 155: C+, 154 - 140: C, 139 - 120: D, 119 - 0: E. Students are encouraged to discuss homework assignments with each other, but answers should be their own.Students are expected to “act with honesty and integrity, and [they] must respect the rights of others in carrying out all academic assignments” (
The final paper/project should be 10 pages. It should be written in accordance with some Style Sheet. An outline of the paper (of about 2 paragraphs) must be handed in week 8 (even though this must not be thought of as `written in stone'). Paper topics will be provided but the student is free to pick a topic of her/his own choice. Writing one paper for two classes must be discussed with the instructor/s. You are encouraged to hand in a draft before the due date.
Disability Accommodations: Qualified students with disabilities who will require disability accommodations in this class are encouraged to make their requests to me at the beginning of the semester either during office hours or by appointment. Note: Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is required. Disability information is confidential. Establishing Eligibility for Disability Accommodations: Students who feel they will need disability accommodations in this class but have not registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) should contact DRC immediately. That office is located on the first floor of the Matthews Center Building. DRC staff can also be reached at: 480-965-1234 (V), 480-965-9000 (TTY). For additional information, visit: Their hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Tentative Schedule
Week:Readings and assignments:
Week 1 (13-15 January):Review of LIN 510; warming up trees.
Week 2 (20-22 January):Chapter 1
Week 3 (27-29 January): Chapter 2, HW 1 due (29 Jan)
Week 4 (3-5 February):Chapter 3
Week 5 (10-12 February):Chapter 4
Week 6 (17-19 February:Chapter 4 and 5, HW 2 due (17 Feb)
Week 7 (24-26 February):Chapter 5
Week 8 (3-5 March):Chapter 6, review so far, EXAM 1 (5 Mar)
Week 9:Break from 8-15 March
Week 10 (17-19 March):Chapter 6 and 7
Week 11 (24-26 March):Chapter 7, HW 3 (26 Mar)
Week 12 (31 M- 2 April):Chapter 8
Week 13 (7-9 April):Chapter 8, EXAM 2 (9 April)
Week 14 (14-16 April):Conclusion, Papers/projects due (14 April)
Week 15 (21-23 April):Syntax Symposium
Week 16 (28-30 April):Syntax Symposium continued, and wrap-up
Some URLS that may be helpful
Corpora
- (BNC);
- (ICE)
- (Childes)
- (MICASE)
- (other languages)
videos
- (video on biolinguistics)
- (Chomsky 2007)
- (Jackendoff 2007)
Book series; theses; papers
-
-
Glossesand typological URLs
- glosses)
- has data on 6703 languages (paper version is good too: 16th ed.)
- the homepage of the Association for Linguistic Typology
- on endangered languages:
- And on tense and aspect at: