Syntax Syllabus

Course Outline

Linguistics 522

The table below gives an approximate schedule of classes, assignments, and lectures for this course. On days that are shaded gray, class does not meet. Days shaded gray before the last day of classes are either holidays or furlough days.

Days shaded gray after the last day of classes represent content that would have been covered in class in not for furlough days. This gives you some measure of the reduction in class content due to furloughs.

Day

Reading

Assignment

Lecture

Background
Wed Sep 01 Chapter 1, Chapter 2 No exercises from chapter 1; From Chapter 2: Exercises 1, 6 and Challenge Problems 1 and 2. Generative Syntax lecture Glossary of syntax terms.  
Wed Sep 08 Chapter 2. Parts of speech Chapter 3. Constituency 4d-h,q, r, 8, Challenge Problems 2, 3, Chapter 3.
  1. Parts of speech
  2. Noun noun compounds
  3. Constituency and Constituency Tests
  4. Using trees for Constituency: the golden rule
  1. Background notes
  2. Tree-drawing website
  3. Tree-Drawing Tips
  4. Other languages
Wed Sep 15 Chapter 4 (not a fun read!). Phrase-structure rules. Dominance, precedence, and C-command 4. 2(10-16), 7[9-19], 9. Challenge problem 3. Structural relations Alternative Lecture Model answers for assignment 1
Wed Sep 22 Chapter 5. The Binding Theory; Anaphors, pronouns, and R-expressions Chapter 5 Exercises: Problems 2, 4; Challenge problem 4,6 Lecture

Model answers for Ch. 2 homework

Model answers for Ch. 4 homework

Wed Sep 29 Chapter 6. Xbar Syntax Exercises, p.190-196. Problem 1a,b,d; 3; 7a,c,d,e,k; Challenge Problem 4. Lectures:
  1. 6.1 Intermediate constituents.
  2. 6.2 Cross-categorial generalizations: Complement, Adjunct, Specifier.
  3. 6.3 Parameterizing word order
 
Wed Oct 06 Chapter 6. Xbar Syntax (ctd). Second week on this. Challenge probs: 2,3 from Chapter 6. Lectures:
  1. 6.2 Cross-categorial generalizations: Complement, Adjunct, Specifier.
  2. 6.3 Parameterizing word order
  1. Background Chapter 6
Wed Oct 13 Chapter 7: Advanced Xbar Syntax;

Introducing Functional heads: CP, TP, DP

 Midterm. Attention! This version is new! (10-14-10) Lectures: Functional Heads lecture  
Wed Oct 20        
Wed Oct 27 Chapter 8. The Lexicon Chapter 8: Exercises 2, 3, 4, Challenge 4 Lecture Complements and Adjuncts
Wed Nov 03 Chapter 9. Head to head movement Chapter 9: Exercises 1, 2, 7, 9b,d,e,f (draw S-structure trees, not D-Structure), Challenge 2, 3. Lecture. 2007 Midterm answers 2007 Midterm.
Wed Nov 10 Chapter 10. DP Movement Exercises 1(draw S-structure trees, not D-Structure), 2, 4, 5, 6 DP Movement lecture  
Wed Nov 17 Chapter 10 ctd. Exercises 7, 9, Challenge 3    
Wed Nov 24 Chapter 11. Wh Movement Exercises 1[a,b,c,d,h,j,k,o,p,q] (draw S-structure trees, not D-Structure) 5, 6, Challenge 1, 2, 3 Movement  
Wed Dec 01 Chapter 10, 11. Consolidation Challenge 3 (Chapter 10), Auxiliary exercises for Ch. 10. Exercises 2, 4 (Chapter 11) [Exc. 4 suggest an amendment for the relevant constraint.]    
Wed Dec 08 Chapter 12. Minimalism Assignment Final exam. Final review. Answers to last assignment German head movement. Unified Movement lecture  
Wed Dec 15 Chapter 13. Expanded VP      
Wed Dec 22 Chapter 14. Raising and Control