Spring 2018 - LING 811 G100
Topics in Linguistics II (4)
Class Number: 7330
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
John Lyon
john_lyon@sfiu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
In-depth treatment of a selected area of Linguistics. Specific topics will vary from offering to offering.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is an introduction to morphology and syntax, with special reference to sentence structure and word architecture in several different indigenous languages of BC. We will start with an analysis of simple clauses, looking at word order, inflection, voice (active, passive, and antipassive), oblique marking, and clitic type and order. We will then examine complex clause constructions, including coordination, subordination, nominalization, and topicalization and their uses in expressing complementation, wh-questions, and focus constructions. We will also explorea variety of verb suffixes, including transitive, reflexive, reciprocal, applicative, and causative, examining the syntactic effect which these suffixes have on clause structure, their distribution with respect to different types of roots, and their relative order. We will learn how to use dictionaries and other electronic resources to construct and solve problem sets designed to figure out word architecture, including questions like “What is the root of the word?”, “What are the prefixes, suffixes, and infixes?”, “What meaning does each have?” We will then take this knowledge and apply it to parsing of a narrative text in one of these languages.
Students should familiarize themselves with the Department's Standards on Class Management and Student Responsibilities at http://www.sfu.ca/linguistics/undergraduate/student-resources/department-standards.html#main_content_text.
Please note that a grade of “FD” may be assigned as a penalty for academic dishonesty.
All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes or no later than one week after a student adds a course.
Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities (778-782-3112 or csdo@sfu.ca).
Grading
- In-class presentations 20%
- Problem sets 30%
- Writing assignments 30%
- Project and final presentation 20%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
TBA
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS