Universals and Variation in Syntactic Systems - LAN00101M

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Module summary

This module pushes forward and integrates your knowledge of syntax and semantics by examining the way semantics and syntax interact and constrain one another’s operations.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

• Aspects of a Theory of Syntax (LAN00016I)

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

• To familiarise you with the current state of minimalist theory concerning Universal Grammar and grammatical variation.

• To address issues regarding the architecture of the grammar from the point of view of issues relating to parametric variation..

• To consider a range of phenomena in terms of variation in syntactic processes and properties

• To develop your ability to deal with higher complexity data and issues and develop a theoretically informed understanding of the questions and challenges that they raise.

• To develop specific research and study skills linked to abstract theoretical work (i.e. discover the connectedness of seemingly disparate ideas)

• To give you an opportunity to experience work at the forefront of current understanding

• To provide you with the relevant tools for advanced analysis of crosslinguistic data

Module learning outcomes

• Select and apply appropriate syntactic and semantic diagnostics to a wide range of constructions

• Synthesise different aspects of your knowledge about structural properties and the way they vary

• Identify key patterns in data sets and express their distribution in terms of key syntactic concepts of Universal Grammar, PArameter setting and parametric hierarchies.

• Formulate and explicitly state intricate generalisations about relevant phenomena.

• Systematically apply the tools you’ve learnt to understand the nature of derivations.

By the end of the module, you should be able to do the following:

• Show familiarity with current proposals in generative syntax

• Fit your descriptive knowledge within a larger theoretical framework

• Formulate theoretical arguments and follow them through.

• Show significant knowledge of the interplay between Universality and variation in a restricted framework

Module content

Week	Topic
1	The Minimalist View of Syntax and Language Design
2	Universal Grammar
3	Parameters
4	Word Order
5	Null Subjects
6	Incorporation
7	Verb Movement
8	Case and Alignment Nom-Acc
9	Case and Alignment ERG - ABS
10	Wh Movement
11	Conclusions

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

One-to-one feedback after presentation/discussion.

For submitted assessments, you will receive individual written feedback within 25 working days of your submission.

Indicative reading

Roberts, I. (2019). Parameter hierarchies and universal grammar. Oxford University Press.