Syntax

Objectives of the course

Introduction to generative syntax (its foundations in the biolinguistic approach to the study of language, its formal character, etc.). Familiarizing with the main literature of the field, and the main directions of present day syntactic research.

Prerequisites

This is an introductory course, so no special knowledge is required to enroll in this course. Yet it is expected that students will have some background in linguistics, like an intro class to linguistics or an undergraduate level class in syntax etc. It is one of the three core courses and it gives the students the required foundations on which further knowledge can be built.

Assessment methods

/

Course contents

It is an introductory course in generative syntax, briefly discussing the short history of formal approaches to formal syntax, and devoting most of the time to modern approaches to the study of syntax, primarily within the Minimalist program. We will talk about some of the core syntactic topics, like the binding theory, case, predication, wh-movement, theta theory, control, etc. and critically discuss various proposal. Acquired knowledge will be put to use in the form of a final term paper.

Material discussed in lectures also forms the main part of recitations, where more time and care is devoted to the main issues. Emphasis is given to practical knowledge and actual analysis of language data.

Recommended reading

• Adger, David. 2003. Core Syntax. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Golden, Marija. 2000. Teorija Opisnega jezikoslovja, 1. skladnja. FF Univerze v Ljubljani, Ljubljana.
• Lasnik, Howard. Juan Uriagereka, and Cedric Boeckx. 2005. A Course in Minimalist Syntax. Blackwell.
• Articles from various journals like Linguistic Inquiry, Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, Syntax, Lingua, The Linguistic Review, Natural Language Sematnics, Language, Linguistics, etc