Issues in the syntax and semantics interface

Aims

Aims

This module aims:

• To provide students with an opportunity to discuss cutting edge research in core issues involving the interplay of syntax, semantics, and the lexicon.
• To develop the students' ability to deal with higher complexity datasets and develop a theoretically informed understanding of the issues and challenges that they raise.
• To support independent research in formal generative syntax and semantics and the interface between them; one or two main themes will be chosen each year eg. nominals and events.
• To develop specific research skills linked to abstract theoretical work (i.e. discover the connectedness of seemingly disparate ideas and go beyond binary branching reasoning)

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

There is a weekly two-hour seminar.

Teaching programme

By the end of the module, students should:

• be familiar with current proposals in generative and formal semantics with respect to features, nominals and events;
• be able to evaluate analytical literature on the Syntax / Semantics interface from both the point of view of empirical coverage and that of theoretical coherence and formal elegance.

Teaching materials

Assessment

Assessment

Formative work

• presentations throughout the module 

Assessment

• a 5,000 word essay