Syntax

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours.

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Some prior study in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics is desirable, e.g. a first year LING subject.

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject is an introduction to basic concepts and methods of syntactic analysis and description. Emphasis is on practical analysis and description of a wide range of phenomena from a variety of languages. Students should become familiar with topics such as constituent structure, syntactic categories, grammatical functions (interface with morphology), thematic relations (interface with semantics), word order, multi-clausal constructions, including complement clauses, relative clauses and clause linking, and unbounded dependencies.

Students who complete this subject will:

• Broaden and apply skills in syntactic analysis and description of a wide range of phenomena from a variety of languages
• Attain practical knowledge of several theoretical models of syntax
• Engage with current theoretical debates in syntax
• Deepen their understanding of social and cultural diversity
• Participate in individual and group-based problem-solving activities within and outside the classroom
• Develop their ability to think creatively in evaluating novel linguistic data and attempting to find the best description and explanation for them
• Make wide use of learning and research technologies (LMS, Library)
• Further hone abilities in written and verbal argumentation and logical expression through assessment activities and tutorial discussion

• Problem set assignment 1 throughout the semester [25%]
• Problem set assignment 2 throughout the semester [25%]
• Take home exam at the end of the semester [50%]

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

• Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A package of readings prepared by the Department.

'Analyzing grammar: an introduction'. Paul Kroeger. 2005. Cambridge University Press.

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This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• have acquired skills in critical thinking and analysis.
• have acquired skill in thinking in theoretical terms.
• have developed skills in thinking creatively in evaluating and formulating analyses.
• have developed skills in observation and attention to detail.
• have developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically.