2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LING5035M Topics in Syntax

30 creditsClass Size: 24

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

LING5430M Topics in Syntax

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides students with an advanced understanding of selected topics in syntactic theory. Each topic is discussed from a comparative perspective, addressing key debates and open questions in the current literature. Students learn advanced terminology and concepts in generative syntactic theory, read research papers and undertake their own cross-linguistic analysis of language data.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of selected concepts in generative syntactic theory. Through practical students develop advanced analysis skills, scientific reasoning applied to the analysis of language data, and the ability to read and evaluate original research in the field.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to
1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of selected phenomena in comparative syntax from a generative perspective
2. demonstrate to employ advanced terms and concepts in syntactic theory
3. demonstrate to critically evaluate and formulate formal arguments through scientific reasoning

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to
4. demonstrate advanced academic literacy skills
5. demonstrate skills in analysing real world data to support or assess theoretical arguments
6. demonstrate digital literacy skills

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			270.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The seminars are student-led, encouraging discussions and peer feedback, and provide a forum for supporting and monitoring students’ progress. Students are offered the option of completing a formative writing on their proposed coursework topic, prior to the submission of their summatively assessed squib.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Written Work	Short article (squib)	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The coursework is a short article (squib) on a chosen syntactic phenomenon (in English and/or other languages) related to one of the topics covered in the module. Students are expected to choose and describe a syntactic phenomenon, illustrate it with examples, and discuss why it is interesting, for example whether it is confirms or raises a problem for a particular theory.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/02/2024

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