LG212-5-AU-CO:
Syntax: The Structure of Sentences

The details
2023/24
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
09 October 2023

 

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

 

(none)

Key module for

BA QQ13 English Language and Linguistics,
BA QQ15 English Language and Linguistics (Including Placement Year),
BA QQ16 English Language and Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BA QQ3D English Language and Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
MLINQA15 English Language and Lingistics (Including Placement Year),
MLINQA16 English Language and Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
MLINQQ14 English Language and Linguistics,
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 Q100 Linguistics,
BA Q101 Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
BA Q102 Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BA Q103 Linguistics (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 makes sentences like "herself likes pizza" sound strange in English? This module uncovers the rules that underlie grammar and discusses different theoretical approaches to different phenomena.

Module aims

To provide an overview to syntactic phenomena and introduce students to engaging with syntactic analysis by comparing different approaches to the analysis of syntactic data.

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 similarities and differences between theoretical frameworks to syntax
c. Construct a syntactic analysis for linguistic data

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

10 x 2hour teaching sessions

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

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
Prof Hannah Gibson, email: h.gibson@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Hannah Gibson
h.gibson@essex.ac.uk, Office 4.317, Number 2204

 

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

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