CAS LX 522 Syntax I

CAS LX 522 Fall 2000

Syntax I

Announcements:

Sat Mar 24: Greetings, those of you looking to see what Syntax I is like for the purposes of registering for Fall 2001.

The Fall 2000 version of this class used a different textbook from the one we will be using in Fall 2001. Next semester, we will be using Andrew Carnie's text book (which you can preview by clicking on the Resources tab on the left side of the page). Those who reviewed it last year found that it was much easier to understand and use than the Ouhalla textbook used in Fall 2000. So, when looking over the syllabus, etc. for this past year, keep in mind that, although much of the subject matter will be the same, the order of presentation and the exact coverage will be different. In particular, unlike last year's textbook, this year's textbook does not lose sight of the fact that (notwithstanding its scientific value, of course) syntax is also fascinating and fun.

So, feel free to browse with the preceding caveats in mind, and I hope to see you in the Fall. If you have questions about the course, please feel free to stop by my office or to email me at hagstrom@bu.edu.

Mon Dec 18: That's it, it's over. Have a good holiday break...

Sun Oct 9: I've set up a minimal WebCT course site for this class, which provides bulletin boards and chat rooms for students. I believe it also allows you to see your homework grades.

Sat Sep 30: I have added a link to a temporarily available forthcoming Syntax textbook to the Resources page. It may be helpful to consult this if you find something in Ouhalla's textbook confusing. I am seriously considering using this book next year, so your comments would be appreciated.

Professor. Paul Hagstrom, 718 Commonwealth Ave. (Dept. of Modern Foreign Languages & Literatures), Office 401D. Email: hagstrom@bu.edu (likely to get a quick response). Phone: 617-353-6220 (x3-6220). Office hours: M 2—3; TR 4—5.

Prerequisites. CAS LX 250 (a.k.a. CAS LX 253) ("Foundations of Language"–Intro to linguistics), EN 511, or equivalent.

Course goals. This is part one of a two-part syntax course. In the first semester, we will concentrate on introducing some fundamental concepts of the "Principles & Parameters" approach to syntax. We will not be discussing more recent developments (in particular the Minimalist Program) until the second semester. However, the concepts and terminology covered in this course will be those which have most wide recognition and use in the world outside cutting-edge theoretical linguistics. We will be reading roughly half of the course textbook, with some supplementary materials as well (which will be made available as the course progresses).

Course Requirements. Homework. Weekly problem sets and/or discussion questions. Midterm exam. Monday, October 30, in class. Final exam. Monday, December 18, 4—6pm.

Homework. Whenever feasible, homework can be emailed to me at hagstrom@bu.edu. Text-only is preferred, but you may also send PDF, RTF, or Microsoft Word files. Postscript and Word Perfect files are less welcome, and don’t even bother sending TeX or LaTeX files. Wherever email won’t work for any reason (e.g., for tree diagrams), homework can be turned in at the beginning of class. Be aware that if you use any special fonts, I may not be able to read your homework–be sure you know how to "include" nonstandard fonts (or send it to me early, so I can let you know if I was unable to read it).

Late assignments. Late assignments will receive half-credit if turned in by the Thursday after their due date; homework later than that will not be accepted for credit. There will be an envelope outside my office suite door (718 Commonwealth Ave., suite 401) to place these in.

Grading scheme.	Regular attendance, class participation	10%
	Homework (lowest score dropped)	30%
	Midterm exam	25%
	Final exam	35%

CAS Student Academic Conduct Code. As a member of a CAS course, it is essential that you read and adhere to the CAS Student Academic Conduct Code. In particular, several types of plagiarism (any attempt to represent the work of another as your own) are defined by this academic conduct code. A copy is available in CAS 105.

Textbook (required). Jamal Ouhalla (1999). Introducing Transformational Grammar: From Principles and Parameters to Minimalism (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Readings. Occasionally, supplemental readings may be assigned. These readings will be available in the hallway outside my office suite, in a folder labeled LX500. You may take the readings out for no more than an hour to make a personal photocopy, and then they should be returned to the folder so that others may photocopy them.