English 515 (1): Theories of English Grammar

Schedule of Classes: fall 2010

September 14,

Introduction to the class.
The nature of syntactic inquiry.

• Read: Chpts. 1 and 2 of Syntax.

Universal grammar.

• Read: Chpt 1. of ONL.

September 16,

Universal grammar (cont.).
Testing for linguistic structures.

Exercises from Chapters 1 and 2 of Syntax are due.

• Read: Chpts. 3 and 4 in Syntax.

September 21,

Constituency and Structural Relationships.

Exercises from Chapter 3 and 4 of Syntax are due.

September 23,

Binding Theory.

Quiz 1 is due.

• Read: Chpt. 5 in Syntax

September 28,

Exercises from Chapter 5 of Syntax are due.

Initial discussion of X-bar Theory.

September 30,

X-bar Theory.

Quiz 2 is due.

• Read: Chpt. 6 in Syntax

October 05,

X-bar Theory.

Exercises from Chapter 6 of Syntax are due.

October 07,

X-bar theory.

• Read: Chpt. 7 in Syntax

October 12,

Exercises from Chapter 7 of Syntax are due.

October 14,

Quiz 3 is due.

Theta theory.

• Read: Chpt. 8 in Syntax.
• Read: Chpt. 2 in ONL.

October 19,

Exercises from Chapter 8 of Syntax are due.

• Read: Chpt. 3 in ONL

October 21,

Movement.

• Read: Chpt. 9 in Syntax

October 26,

Exercises from Chapter 9 of Syntax are due.

Movement.

• Read: Chpt. 10 in Syntax

October 28,

Quiz 4 is due.

Exercises from Chapter 10 of Syntax are due.

• Read: Chpt. 4 in ONL

November 02,

WH-Movement.

• Read: Chpt. 11 in Syntax
• Finish reading: The Language Instinct.

November 04,

Quiz 5 is due.

Exercises from Chapter 11 of Syntax are due.

More on Movement.

• Read: Chpt. 12 in Syntax
• Read: Chpt. 5 in ONL.

November 09,

Exercises from Chapter 12 of Syntax are due.

Quiz 6 is due.

Expanded VPs and Empty Categories.

• Read: Chpts. 13 and 14 in Syntax

November 16,

Exercises from Chapter 13 and 14 of Syntax are due.

Quiz 7 is due.

November 18,

Term paper is due.

Movie: Language and Mind.

November 23,

Final examination--5:20-7:25.

English 515 Course Syllabus