Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - LING 801 G100

Syntax (3)

Class Number: 1705

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Wed, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to formal syntactic analysis. Topics include categories, phrase structure, word order, grammatical relations, binding, and long-distance syntactic dependencies.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a survey of current syntactic theory within the generative framework along the lines of the Minimalist Program. The first part of the course will be concerned with various syntactic issues in clause structure: the derivation of phrases and clauses, the issue of splitting up TP and VP into different levels of projections, cross-linguistic variation in verb-movement, and principles governing other movement phenomena such as DP- and WH-movement. The second part of the course will be concerned with various issues concerning the syntax-semantics interface, including the syntax of scope, constraints on DP interpretation reflected in Binding Theory, and reconstruction of different types of movement. 

Grading

  • Assignments 30%
  • Presentation of articles 30%
  • Term Paper: Presentation 10%
  • Term Paper: Write-up 30%

NOTES:

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.

Please note 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).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Adger, David. 2004. Core Syntax: A Minimalist Approach. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. 


ISBN: 0199243700

Additional reading materials will be made available on-line through the course website or distributed in class.

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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.