Syntax

Subject LING20006 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 34 hours- 2 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week. There will be no tutorials in the first and last weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

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

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, 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 Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Brett Baker

Contact

Email: bjbaker@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

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.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this subject, students should have:

  • broadened and be able to apply skills in syntactic analysis and description of a wide range of phenomena from a variety of languages;
  • attained practical knowledge of several theoretical models of syntax;
  • engaged with current theoretical debates in syntax;
  • deepened their understanding of social and cultural diversity;
  • participated in individual and group-based problem-solving activities within and outside the classroom;
  • developed their ability to think creatively in evaluating novel linguistic data and attempting to find the best description and explanation for them;
  • made wide use of learning and research technologies (LMS, Library);
  • further honed their abilities in written and verbal argumentation and logical expression through assessment activities and tutorial discussion.
Assessment:
  • 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%]

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:

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

An additional package of readings will be available

Recommended Texts:

none

Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject should have:

  • acquired skills in critical thinking and analysis;
  • acquired skill in thinking in theoretical terms;
  • developed skills in thinking creatively in evaluating and formulating analyses;
  • developed skills in observation and attention to detail;
  • developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: English Language - 200 Point Program
English Language Studies
Graduate Certificate in Arts - Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Language Testing - 200 Point Program
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
TESOL - 200 Point Program
Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program
Related Breadth Track(s): Linguistics: Language Structure and Analysis

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