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 Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 78:00 | 78:00 | Including at least one hour individual tutoring with module leader |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | shared with SEL1027 Syntax. |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Synchronous |
Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
Code | Title |
---|---|
SEL1027 | Introduction 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 Examination | 2880 | 1 | A | 100 | 48h take-home exam online |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
To test students’ analytical skill in an unseen context.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL8116's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- SEL8116's past Exam Papers
General Notes
Original Handbook text:
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Disclaimer
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.