LING3002
10 units
3000 level
Course handbook
Description
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of syntax - the grammatical structure of language. We will look at the structure of phrases, clauses and sentences, and at the functional relationship between parts of phrases and clauses, such as subject and object. The course concentrates on the basic concepts and methods of syntactic analysis and description, and focuses on the practical analysis and description of a wide range of phenomena from a variety of languages.
Availability
Not currently offered.
This Course was last offered in Semester 1 - 2023.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Apply analytic methods to analyse syntactic data;
2. Identify syntactic units such as heads, complements, adjuncts, and arguments;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the structural characteristics of phrases and clauses;
4. Describe syntactic structures and relations in a formal way;
5. Characterize syntactic diversity across languages.
Content
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and methods of syntactic analysis and description. It concentrates on practical analysis and description of a wide range of phenomena from a variety of languages. Topics to be covered include:
- word classes and phrasal categories;
- the principles of constituent structure;
- word order and clause structure;
- writing phrase structure grammar;
- major clause types, including declarative, interrogative and imperative clauses and clauses with non-verbal predicates;
- multi-clausal constructions, including complement clauses and relative clauses;
- intermediate levels of structure, including basic X-bar syntax;
- the principles of argument structure;
- grammatical functions such as subject and object, including the interaction of syntax and morphology;
- semantic functions such as agent and patient, including the interaction of syntax and semantics.
Assumed knowledge
10 units in linguistics at 1000 level
Assessment items
Written Assignment: Part 1 - Take Home Assignments (x4)
Essay: Part 2 - Essay
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.