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 be covering concepts from the Minimalist Program
for linguist theory and Government and Binding, both central to most
current work in theoretical syntax. We will make our way pretty much
entirely through the course textbook, with some supplementary materials
as well (to be be made available as the course progresses).
Course Requirements. Homework.
Weekly homework assignments. Midterm exam. Thursday, October
16 (in class). Final exam. Monday, December 15, 12:30pm (2
hours), in CAS 204A (note that this is a different room from where the class meets).
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 files are less welcome, and dont even
bother sending Word Perfect, TeX or LaTeX files. Wherever email wont
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 homeworkbe 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 not be accepted without prior arrangement.
|
Grading scheme. |
Homework (lowest dropped) |
40% |
|
Midterm exam |
25% |
|
Final exam |
25% |
|
Regular attendance, participation |
10% |
Textbook (required). Radford,
Andrew (1997). Syntactic theory and the structure of English.
Cambridge University Press. (Note: Shop around,
this book is not too hard to find, and it may be cheaper to get
it through Amazon or Cambridge if
you can get it in time.).
Readings.
Occasionally, supplemental readings may be assigned. These readings
will be available in the hallway outside my office suite, in a
folder labeled LX522. 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.
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. |