Comparative syntax and syntactic typology

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

• At least 40 credits prior background in generative syntax.
• May not take the Autumn Term Syntax module in combination with this.

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

This module lasts for one term. There is a weekly two-hour seminar.

Teaching programme

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

• understand key notions in comparative syntax;
• understand the fundamentals of comparative procedures in formal grammar;
• understand the limits of typological generalisations;
• bring formal principles to bear on typological generalisations and vice versa;
• analyse relevant comparative and typological data;
• present comparative and typological data as evidence in support of a theoretical argument;
• understand and evaluate the historical and phylogenetic adequacy of comparative syntactic hypotheses.

Teaching materials

To be posted on the VLE.

Assessment

Assessment

• 5,000 word essay