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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LING5430M Topics in Syntax

15 creditsClass Size: 24

Module manager: Valentina Brunetto
Email: v.brunetto@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisites

LING5410MFoundations of Syntax

Module replaces

LING5011M Elements of Grammar

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of selected current topics in syntactic research. The topics will be centred around four key themes: restrictions on the interpretation of pronominal elements (such as she and herself); syntactic movement (and in particular the structure of questions and relative clauses); word order and information structure; cross-linguistic variation versus language universals. You will learn advanced syntactic terminology, read research papers and undertake your own analysis of language data from a range of languages.

Objectives

In this module, students will (i) gain a deeper understanding of the structure of language, (ii) learn to carry out advanced analysis of linguistic data, and (iii) further their scientific reasoning abilities.

Learning outcomes
This module will develop a more advanced understanding of syntax, from a generative perspective, and will bring students to a level at which they can start tackling the primary literature. The module will also help students to improve their analytical skills, critical thinking and scientific reasoning.


Syllabus

The module adopts a topic-oriented approach, examining a number of key topic areas in syntax, from both theoretical and methodological perspectives. The topics will be introduced and contextualised together at the start of the module, followed by blocks of lectures and seminars dedicated to each topic in turn. The topics to be covered in the module will vary from year to year. They will span four broad areas:
- restrictions on the interpretation of pronominal elements (such as she and herself)
- syntactic movement (and in particular the structure of questions and relative clauses)
- word order and information structure
- cross-linguistic variation versus language universals

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture101.0010.00
Seminar51.005.00
Independent online learning hours50.00
Private study hours85.00
Total Contact hours15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

Independent learning: compulsory weekly exercises for self-study will be posted on the VLE, with model answers provided (after the deadline) for students to learn from and monitor their progress. The breakdown of hours is as follows: 4 hours per VLE exercise per week (total = 40 hours), plus 1 hour for self-evaluation and follow-up exercises (to be chosen from a menu of non-compulsory exercises).

Private study: Supplementary reading is key in this module. Students will be required to read relevant sections of the two textbooks following each lecture, as well as key chapters in other books. There will be an average of 3 hours of reading to complement lectures each week (total = 30), plus two hours of lecture revision and follow-up exercises (total = 20). In addition to this, there will be preparation for the assessed exercise (total = 10) and exam revision (total = 25).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Self-monitoring via the VLE exercises. A sample of student submissions will be analysed by the lecturer each week to identify areas of particular difficulty.
All lectures and seminars will include a significant amount of exercises to do in class, with plenty of opportunities for feedback and questions

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Practical.25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)25.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)1 hr 00 mins75.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)75.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/03/2018 17:22:53

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