LAST UPDATE: JAN 27 [NEWS: APR 7]
ENG 573:
TOPICS IN ENGLISH SYNTAX
Linguistics Section, Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus
http://www.punksinscience.org/kleanthes/courses/UCY05S/TIES
http://www.punksinscience.org/kleanthes *
Phone: x2106
| DESCRIPTION | COURSE NEWS |
| ASSESSMENT | |
| READINGS | |
| OVERVIEW | DOWNLOAD PAGE |
| PARTICULARS |
DESCRIPTION
In this course, we will look at
the syntax of English from the two main theoretical viewpoints within modern
Generative Grammar. Starting with Government-and-Binding Theory (GB), we will
unravel the ideas behind the Principles-and-Parameters approach to human
language. Once the workings of GB have been understood, we will critically
inspect whether the elaborate (and quite humungous) architecture assumed in GB
is indeed necessary. Here we will take a minimalist perspective on grammar and
consider viable alternatives to the empirical challenge with less theoretical
machinery.
ASSESSMENT
Regular attendance is
strongly advised! Besides the class lectures, there will be:
1. regular homework exercises to be discussed in class (30%)
2. one abstract identifying a problem to be solved later (20%)
3. one term paper (which could relate to your abstract) (50%)
4. presence & active participation in class throughout (±x...)
READING
There are two required
texts, both of which I make available
online on the course homepage; bound copies can be purchased from Antoniou copy
shop on Kallipoleos (CYP 3.00 and CYP 10.00, respectively):
Black, Cheryl A. 1999. A Step-by-Step Introduction to the Government
and Binding Theory of Syntax. Manuscript,
Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL, Mexico Branch) & University of North
Dakota.
Hornstein,
Norbert, Jairo Nunes, and Kleanthes K. Grohmann. 2004. Understanding
Minimalism. Book manuscript,
University of Maryland, University of São Paulo, and University of Cyprus. To appear with Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. [expected publication:
July 2005]
I also put a number of readings on reserve in the library for short-term loan. Further literature is provided on the sheet references (PDF-file); in addition, selected
readings will be distributed throughout.
OVERVIEW
|
WEEK 1 |
course introduction and organization Government
& Binding Theory (GB) constituency & subcategorization |
these info sheets CAB:
sects. 1-2 CAB: sect. 3 |
|
WEEK 2 |
X-bar
Theory |
CAB:
sects. 4-6 |
|
WEEK 3 |
question formation A-movement & theta-roles |
CAB: sect. 7 CAB: sect. 8 |
|
WEEK 4 |
Case Theory Binding Theory |
CAB: sect. 9 CAB: sect. 10 |
|
WEEK 5 |
some
recent additions |
CAB:
sect. 11 |
|
WEEK 6 |
principles and parameters & GB introduction to minimalism vs. GB |
HNG: chap. 1 HNG: chap. 2 |
|
WEEK 7 |
Theta
Domains |
HNG:
chap. 3 |
|
WEEK 8 |
Case
Domains |
HNG:
chap. 4 |
|
WEEK 9 |
minimality |
HNG:
chap. 5 |
|
WEEK
10 |
phrase structure linearization |
HNG: chap. 6 HNG: chap. 7 |
|
WEEK
11 |
binding |
HNG:
chap. 8 |
|
WEEK
12 |
feature
interpretability |
HNG:
chap. 9 |
|
WEEK
13 |
derivational economy & phases |
HNG: chap. 10 |
PARTICULARS
This course will be intense in terms of theoretical coverage and discussion of
empirical phenomena — consequently you should read
quite a lot for maximum effect. The class
readings (overview) must
all be read on time; the more you read of additional
readings, the better (but this is optional). (NB: The abstract and term paper may be
written in collaboration with up to three
participants.)
exercises I will make up exercises or point to those in the readings which we'll go over in class. Some of these will have to be written up and handed in for grading.
abstract The abstract will be a short sketch of a syntactic
problem, no more than two pages (preferably only one), which you may then
extend into your term paper for the course.
term paper Your term paper will be a substantial piece
of research in which you identify an issue and pursue it from all angles in an
appropriate academic manner: it should be nicely structured, well argued, fully
illustrated, and so on. The length is up to you: if it's really good and to the
point, a short paper is fine (4-6 pages), but I also accept a 10- or 15-page
paper (or anything else you come up with). Take this paper seriously and start
working on it as soon as you can, possibly in tandem with your abstract.