Lecturer: Prof Nicholas Faraclas

LING 3002 (L30B) continues the study of syntactic structure, building on the basic concepts learnt in LING 1002 (L10B) and LING 2002 (L20B). It is primarily for Linguistics majors, but students in other programmes offered by the Department are also encouraged to join us, since we progress seamlessly from work covered in earlier courses.

This course focuses on syntax in general, with a particular emphasis on the framework of generative syntax, from its origins in the 1960s up until its latest reformulation as the Minimalist Program.  Theoretical, methodological and practical questions will be addressed in order to gain a firm understanding of generative syntax, as well as to acquire the skills needed to apply basic syntactic operations and categories to the analysis of the phrases and sentences of English, Creole languages, and various other languages from around the world.  By studying the connections and mutual influences between generative syntax on the one hand and sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, language acquisition, formal logic, and other linguistic subdisciplines on the other, not only will the decisive impact that generative syntax has had on the development of linguistic theory become apparent, but considerable light will be shed on some of the most dynamic and fascinating aspects of contemporary linguistics.  Throughout the course, various critiques of Chomsky’s approach to syntax will be considered.

<Back to CLLI 2008 Courses>