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ENG
235: MORPHOLOGY AND SYNTAX OF ENGLISH
Linguistics
Section , Department of
English Studies , University of Cyprus
Spring Semester 2008: Tuesdays & Fridays,
09.00 - 10.30 *** Room A 010
http://www.punksinscience.org/kleanthes/courses/UCY08S/MASOE
Kleanthes
Grohmann *** Email: kleanthi AT ucy DOT ac DOT cy
Room M 104, Phone: x2106 *** Office Hours: TUE/WED 12.00-13.00 & 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 in terms of X-bar theory, explores the different properties of main and embedded clauses, and discusses movement operations, such as yes/no- and wh-questions, passives and raising constructions. And then someÉ
ASSESSMENT
Regular attendance is strongly advised! The evaluation for this course breaks down as follows:
1. 50%: one final exam covering the syntax material (in-class, open-book)
2. 20%: one mid-term exam on morphology issues (in-class, no open-book)
3. 30%: regular homework exercises (home-prepared, best three will count)
4. ±x%: presence and preferably participation in class (= grade adjustment)
The mid-term exam will be held in class. It will cover the morphology part of the semester in a straightforward manner, like the homework exercises. 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, which you can also have on you for the exam. Only the final is thus an open-book exam.
However, in light of recent copyright infringement issues in Cyprus, you may only use a commercial copy of the book Ñ for legal reasons, then, photocopied materials are not permitted at the exams.
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 three written homework which will count (best of 3). (See here for more information [PAGE NOT ACTIVE YET].)
NB: ThereÕs also a small-paper option to improve your grade; details will be discussed in class.
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
In the past I used to say: I canÕt stress enough how important it will be that you read at home! However, experience has shown that students donÕt read anything beyond the absolute necessary, if they read at all. As a consequence I did not put any books on hold at the library. If anyone is interested in reading beyond the assigned texts, please consult me and I can give you pointers, or do the research on relevant sources yourself. This means your readings are kept at a bare minimum, so: Make sure you do all your minimal readings and learn how to understand what you read!
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:
NB: 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 February 1.)
Carnie, Andrew. 2007. Syntax: A Generative Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell.
[you can get more material from here: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/carnie]
There are also some short supplementary texts (handed out today; downloadable from this 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]
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.
In todayÕs class I will pass out an elaborate document on plagiarism, which might look familiar. [DOWNLOAD HERE]
SYLLABUS [downloadable here from: JAN 21]
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FILES BY MARIA KAMABANROS [SLIDES] AND VOLKER STRUCKMEIER [PAPER].
January 22: CLASS 1 [CLASS 1 handout] Introduction & Overview |
January 25: CLASS 2 [CLASS 2-3 handout] Morphemes & Allomorphy I |
January 29: CLASS 3 [CLASS 2-3 handout] Morphemes & Allomorphy II |
February 1: CLASS 4 [CLASS 4-8 handout] Morphological Phenomena I |
February 5: CLASS 5 [CLASS 4-8 handout] Morphological Phenomena II |
February 8: CLASS 6 [CLASS 4-8 handout] Morphological Phenomena III |
February 12: CLASS 7 [CLASS 4-8 handout] Compounding & Other Processes |
February 15: CLASS 8 [CLASS 4-8 handout] Compounding & Word Structure |
February 19: CLASS 9 [handout] Lexicalization, Productivity & Constraints |
February 20: CLASS 10 [NO CLASS: FEB 22] MID-TERM EXAM |
February 26: CLASS 11 Constituency, Trees & Rules |
February 29: CLASS 12 Structural Relations |
March 4: CLASS 13 Binding Theory |
March 7: CLASS 14 X-Bar Theory |
March 11: CLASS 15 X'-Theory: Functional Categories & Lexicon |
March 14: CLASS 16 Verb Movement: V-to-T-to-C |
March 18: CLASS 17 Verb Movement: Do-Support & Affix Hopping |
March 21: CLASS 18 DP Movement: Theta-Roles, Passives & Case |
March 25: NO CLASS BANK HOLIDAY |
March 28: CLASS 19 DP Movement: Raising & Passives Again |
April 1: NO CLASS BANK HOLIDAY |
April 4: CLASS 20 Wh-Movement: Wh-Questions & Islands |
April 8: CLASS 21 Wh-Movement: Minimal Link & Echo Questions |
April 11: CLASS 22 Move & Cross-Linguistic Differences |
April 15: CLASS 23 Scope, Covert Movement & MLC |
April 18: CLASS 24 COURSE REVIEW & EXAM PREP |
May 5-8: READING WEEK FINAL EXAM PREPARATION |
May 10: FINAL EXAM, 8.30Ð11.30am IN-CLASS OPEN-BOOK FINAL EXAM |