Overview

This module provides a framework in which to both study and apply key ideas, terms and concepts on the fields of morphology and syntax. There are two goals for this course. The first goal is to introduce students to ideas and principles central to the study of both morphology and syntax. The second goal is to provide students with the tools to apply the terms and principles to data sets in order to conduct morphological and /or syntactic analysis. The lectures will provide students with the “big picture”, i.e. central ideas are summarized, important terms and principles defined and analytical tools are presented. In the tutorials, students apply the knowledge gained to linguistic examples and/or data sets.

The following are representative topics:
1: Review: Introduction, word structure, types of morphemes.
2: Productivity, Inflectional morphology.
3: Morphological mappings of grammatical function.
4: Grammatical relations.
5: Constituent structure.
6: Theories of syntax.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D: Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.

-good -B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.

-excellent -A: Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will know what the central terms in the study of morphology and syntax are.

• Students will understand and be able to apply data analysis methods that are commonly used in the study of morphology and syntax

• Students will understand and be able to present and discuss key facts, concepts, and ideas relating to the study of both morphology and syntax and how these two domains interact and impact one another.

• Students will understand the nature of theoretical linguistics in the fields of morphology and syntax and the contribution that theoretical proposals make to our understanding of human language.