LG212-5-AU-CO:
Syntax

The details
2021/22
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 07 October 2021
Friday 17 December 2021
15
31 March 2021

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

LG219

Key module for

BA QQ23 English Language and Literature,
BA QQ24 English Language and Literature (Including Foundation Year),
BA QQ32 English Language and Literature (Including Year Abroad),
BA QQ35 English Language and Literature (Including Placement Year),
BA RQ91 Modern Languages and Linguistics,
BA RQ98 Modern Languages and Linguistics (5 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA P510 Journalism and English Language,
BA P511 Journalism and English Language (Including Placement Year),
BA P512 Journalism and English Language (Including Year Abroad),
BA R114 Language Studies and Linguistics,
BA R115 Language Studies and Linguistics (Including Foundation Year)

Module description

This course is an introduction to theoretical syntax, aiming to understand the ways that
we can understand syntactic variation in the languages of the world. For example, we will explore questions like what determines why objects come before a verb in Japanese, but after the verb in English? Why do languages like Spanish and French put their question words at the beginning of a sentence, while others like Swahili leave them at the end? What rules out sentences like "herself likes pizza" in English? Using Chomsky's Government and Binding Theory as a means of providing an overview to modern syntactic thought, this course will analyse linguistic variation across languages.

Module aims

To provide an overview to syntactic phenomena and introduce students to engaging with syntactic analysis by the use of a particular syntactic framework (in this case, the Principles and Parameters approach). There is a further goal of giving students training in writing clear syntactic argumentation.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should
a. Be familiar with the syntactic structures that exist in the world’s languages
b. Engage with the Principles and Parameters theoretical framework
c. Construct a syntactic analysis for linguistic data from English and other languages

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

A two-hour lecture.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Assignment 1     40% 
Coursework   Assignment 2     60% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Kyle Jerro, email: k.jerro@essex.ac.uk.
Dr. Kyle Jerro
Dr. Kyle Jerro, k.jerro@essex.ac.uk; Room 4.125

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

Dr Sam Christian D'Elia
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.