The course works through in detail how to construct a formal syntactic theory that can accommodate the central syntactic phenomena of a typologically diverse range of grammar.  Lexical-Functional Grammar is the theory most often developed, but certain others might be, instead.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. use basic formal tools of modern theory of syntax, in particular LFG, to analyse certain grammatical structures of English and a range of other languages
2. read and explore professional literature that applies the theory considered to a range of syntactic phenomena
3. apply the theory to solve problems encountered in linguistic data from unfamiliar languages
4. undertake guided research on a given topic for a project, and then present and justify the analysis.

1. 4 analysis problem-sets illustrating the application of theoretical ideas to concrete data (10% each=40%, Learning Outcomes 1,3), with 1-2 pages of data calling for 2-3 pages of analysis.
2. A short critical summary of 1000 words (10%, Learning Outcome 2)
3. A research essay, 2000-2500 words, which can either be an original investigation and analysis of some aspect of the syntax of a language, or a comparison of the way in which two different syntactic theories would handle some kind of syntactic phenomenon (50%, Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4)

A total of 10 hours per week: 2.7 contact hours + 7.5 hours for readings, problem sets and tutorial/research essay.

LING2003, Introduction to Syntax

LING2006 Generative Grammar

Prescribed readings will be posted on the Wattle website for the course

Suggested preliminary readings will be posted on the Wattle website for the course