Last Update: November 27, 2006
CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS [NOV 27]
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEWORK EXERCISES [NOV 17]
ENG 235: MORPHOLOGY AND SYNTAX OF ENGLISH
Linguistics Section , Department of English Studies , University of Cyprus
http://www.punksinscience.org/kleanthes/courses/UCY06F/MASOE
Room 104, Phone: x2106 *** Office Hours: TUE/FRI 15.00-16.00 & by appointment
DESCRIPTION
The course examines the internal structure of words and the rules by which word formation takes place and provides an introductory study of English grammar from a formal perspective. It examines the relationship between syntax and morphology by considering the effects that some morphological processes have on syntax. It also considers the phrase structure properties of English, the different properties of main and embedded clauses, and discusses movement operations, such as yes/no and wh-questions, passives and raising constructions. [from the prospectus] The syntactic framework to be developed in this course is the Minimalist Program which we will approach in a very theoretical manner: We will study its components and compare them with earlier frameworks, we will look at the English language very carefully and see how we can best describe it with the available tools, and we will pay special attention to the justification and formulation of all these technical tools.
ASSESSMENT
Regular attendance is strongly advised! The evaluation for this course breaks down as follows:
1. one final exam covering the syntax material after mid-term (in-class) (50%)
2. one mid-term exam on morphology and syntax problems (in-class) (20%)
3. regular homework exercises (home-prepared, best one will count) (30%)
4. presence and active participation in class (= grade adjustment) (±xÉ)
The mid-term exam will be held in class. It will cover the background material on morphology and syntax. This will be a straightforward introduction to the more demanding parts of the course.
The final exam will also be held in class and consist of exercises as practiced in class. It will deal with the covered material contained in the textbook weÕll work our way through after the mid-term.
Throughout the semester, I will assign particular exercises. You may work them out, write them down, and hand them in, or you may just think about them at home. Some of them will be discussed in class. However, you must hand in at least one written homework. The best grade will count. (See here for full information.)
Despite bad experiences in the past, I will still not take attendance. You will be punished enough for not attending when you stop being able to follow the class. In general I will follow the following guideline, based on taking attendance sporadically if necessary: For every class you miss unexcused, I will take off one half-point grade increment from your final grade. And be on timeÉ
READING
I canÕt stress enough how important it will be for this course that you read at home! To repeat:
I canÕt stress enough how important it will be for this course that you read at home!
All classes will follow the same pattern:
(i) I will assign you readings,
(ii) which you will read for next class,
(iii) when I will lecture on that material.
This also means:
I canÕt stress enough how important it will be for this course that you attend all classes!
Classes will be crucial and equally crucial will be that you understand everything we do. I will not always cover all the material; we will find our pace in a few classes. On the syllabus you will find your reading assignments. I will assign relevant exercises from our textbook as we go along.
There is one required textbook on syntax of which every student must have his/her own copy! (Moufflon Bookshop has enough copies, but they will return those not purchased by September 30.)
Norbert Hornstein, Jairo Nunes, and Kleanthes K. Grohmann. 2005. Understanding Minimalism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
["HNG" Ñ a glossary of terminology can be downloaded here]
There are also some short supplementary texts (handed out today; downloadable from website):
Andrew McIntyre. 2000. 'English Morphology'. Manuscript, University of Leipzig.
Andrew McIntyre. 2003. 'Fundamentals of English Syntax'. Manuscript, University of Leipzig.
You may also find it interesting to browse through this encyclopedia in the library:
Keith Brown and Anne Anderson (eds.). 2006. Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. Amsterdam: Elsevier. [second edition, P29.E5 2006 - v.1-14]
In addition, the short term loan shelves in the library carry a number of titles that I reserved for this course, and also for the other course I teach this semester (the MA course ENG 701: Principles of Linguistic Analysis). Since both courses use the same primary textbook, some of the works reserved for ENG 701 might be relevant or interesting for you too. A complete list can be found here. I annotate the most useful items for this course with an asterisk *.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is a serious offence! Please make yourself familiar with the rules (again) if youÕre not quite sure. Basically, it means that you are not allowed to copy from your notes or classmates during in-class exams. But it also covers more: you cannot simply copy and paste text you find on the internet, in books, or from other sources (including your classmates) for your written work! If I detect cheating or plagiarism in any way, I will report you to the Board of the Department of English Studies Ñ as a consequence, you automatically fail this course and face more severe punishment which can even lead to expulsion from university. So, be honest and work honest.
SYLLABUS
[downloadable here; updated continuously: NOV 27]
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September 5: CLASS 1 Introduction & Overview
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September 8: CLASS 2 Morphemes & Morphological Phenomena
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September 12: CLASS 3 Affixation, Compounding, Lexicalization
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September 15: CLASS 4 Productivity & Processes
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September 19: CLASS 5 Categories & Constituency
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September 22: CLASS 6 Phrase Structure Issues |
September 26: CLASS 7 Categorial Phrases |
September 29: CLASS 8 Sentence Structure [handout cont'd] |
October 3: CLASS 9 MID-TERM EXAM |
October 6: CLASS 10 MID-TERM EXAM FOLLOW-UP |
October 10: CLASS 11 A Brief Intro to Syntyactic Theory |
October 13: CLASS 12 The Minimalist Project |
October 17: CLASS 13 GB-Architecture |
October 20: CLASS 14 Rethinking D-Structure [SAME] |
October 24: CLASS 15 Rethinking D-Structure [SAME] |
October 27: CLASS 16 Rethinking S-Structure [SAME] |
October 31: CLASS 17 External Arguments |
November 3: CLASS 18
[HNG:¤3.3-3.4,14pp.] |
November 7: CLASS 19 Case Theory in GB & MP |
November 10: CLASS 20 Empirical Consequences [SAME] |
November 14: CLASS 21 EXERCISES |
November 17: CLASS 22 EXERCISES |
November 21: CLASS 23 EXERCISES |
November 24: CLASS 24
[HNG:Ex.4.2,4.3,4.9] |
November 28: CLASS 25 (Bare) Phrase Structure |
December 1: CLASS 26 Linearization |
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December 4-7: READING WEEK FINAL EXAM PREPARATION
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December 14: FINAL EXAM, 9am TAKE-HOM FINAL EXAM DUE
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