English 5610: Theories of English Grammar

General Course Information

fall 2016

Instructor: Dr. Robert S. Carlisle
Section: 01; TTH from 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Office: 201E Faculty Tower
Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment.
Email Address: rcarlisle@csub.edu

Required Texts

Carnie, A. (2013).� Syntax: A Generative Introduction (3rd. Ed.). Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Pinker, S. (2000). The Language Instinct. New York: Harper Perennial.

 

Recommended Text

 

Chomsky, N. (2002). On Nature and Language. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

 

 

Course Description:

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the Principles and Parameters version of the generative-transformational theory of syntactic analysis. Generative-transformational theory has been the major school of syntactic analysis in North America and western Europe for the last 50 years. The class will begin with an overview of the basic goals and assumptions of generative-transformational theory; special attention will be paid to the levels of adequacy, and the relationship of government and binding to universal grammar and to language acquisition.

The Principles and Parameters version of generative-transformational theory is a modularized approach to syntactic analysis, which means that it consists of a number of sub-theories which account for distinct syntactic phenomenon in the language. During the quarter the students will become familiar with many of these, including X-bar theory, case theory, theta theory, binding theory, control theory and trace theory.

At the end of this quarter, students will have learned enough about the overall theory to allow them to conduct syntactic analysis on basic syntactic phenomena in English. They will also be able to read and understand current articles on syntactic development in first and second languages.

A secondary purpose of the class is to examine the intellectual and scientific contributions of Noam Chomsky. We will study Chomsky's role in initiating the scientific revolution that resulted in the rejection of behavioral psychology as a valid theory of human cognition. We will also examine his subsequent role in developing the cognitive sciences in the last half of the twentieth century.

Student Learning Outcomes

 

By the end of the semester students will be able to:

1.      �Distinguish between complements and adjuncts using X-bar theory.

2.      �Reveal the grammatical structure of phrases and clauses using X-bar theory.

3.      �Apply binding theory to account for the grammaticality or ungrammaticality of clauses.

4.      �Apply theta theory to account for the grammaticality or ungrammaticality of clauses.

5.      �Apply case theory to account for the grammaticality or ungrammaticality of clauses.

6.      �Apply control theory to account for the grammaticality or ungrammaticality clauses.

7.      �Explain the syntactic motivations for NP movement.

8.      �Explain the syntactic motivations for WH movement.

9.      �Justify the use of empty categories in modern syntactic analysis.

10.  �Defend how universal grammar helps account for first language acquisition.

 

Requirements and Assessment:

To complete the class, all students will complete a term paper, seven quizzes, a midterm, and a final. Students are also required to turn in exercises from the first fifteen chapters of Syntax: A Generative Introduction. Students are encouraged to work on the exercises and the quizzes in small groups. However, each student must complete the term paper, midterm, and final individually. The final examination is in two parts. The first half consists of syntactic problems that the students will complete in class on the day of the final examination. The second half consists of short essay questions. The due dates for the quizzes and the midterm can be found in the schedule of classes.

The final grade will be calculated according to the following schema.

 

 

Communicating with the Instructor

I have scheduled five hours of office hours per week for students, but I realize that many students have problems meeting with their instructors at specific times. Therefore, I actively encourage students to send me messages if they have questions about the content of the course. The questions should be as specific as possible and relate directly to the material being studied. More general questions should be asked during the class.

Important University Dates

 

September 19, 2016: Last date to withdraw without a "W" being recorded.
November 14, 2016: Last date to withdraw for a serious and compelling reason.

English 5610 Course Syllabus