Module Catalogue 2024/25

SEL8116 : Syntactic Analysis (Inactive)

SEL8116 : Syntactic Analysis (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Michelle Sheehan
  • Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

none

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

Students taking SEL8116 should not concurrently take SEL8026 Generative Syntax

Aims

To give postgraduate students a firm foundation in the basics of modern, generative syntactic theory and syntactic analysis. Special attention is paid to the syntax of English, though the syntax of other languages will be frequently discussed. This allows students to see the comparative dimension in the formation and testing of syntactic hypotheses.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Syntax and grammar: description not prescription
2. Categories and subcategories
2. Constituent structure
3. Verb Phrase structure
4. Noun Phrase Structure
5. Movement
6. Recursion

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

A basic knowledge of generative syntax as applied to English (and other languages)
Knowledge of basic clause structure including core properties of syntax (constituent structure, agreement)
Understanding of basic movement (displacement) phenomena

Intended Skill Outcomes

Ability to analyse sentences of English and draw syntactic trees to represent them
Ability to do basic data analysis of the clause structure of a known language or unknown language (with glosses)
Ability to read some basic syntactic literature, understanding the basic theoretical concepts
Increased critical thinking skills, and basic understanding of the scientific method (i.e. hypothesis formation and testing).

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion178:0078:00Including at least one hour individual tutoring with module leader
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture111:0011:00shared with SEL1027 Syntax.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00Synchronous
Total100:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
SEL1027Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Phonetics, Phonology & Morphology
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The Lectures summarise the material presented in the module text, and add supplementary material from primary literature.
The weekly seminar/practical allows the student to practice syntactic analysis and receive feedback on their efforts.
The teaching focus will be on helping students learn to solve syntactic problems and analyse previously unseen sentences by the fluent manipulation of syntactic trees.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination28801A10048h take-home exam online
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

To test students’ analytical skill in an unseen context.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

Original Handbook text:

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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.