Below is the current plan as to how the semester will proceed (although there may be some changes as the semester evolves). If possible, consult the course web page at http://ling.bu.edu/blogs/lx523s09/ for the most up-to-date schedule, rather than relying on a printed version. The Reading column lists the readings related to that week and should be done before class. The homeworks are listed in the week they are handed out, and are due the next class (unless otherwise specified).
Date | Topic | Reading / Homework | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Tue Jan 20 |
Intro- duction to some major concepts from GB |
A brief history of generative grammar; Case, government | (No readings in advance of the first class) | |
Homework 1 (Key) | ||||
Tue Jan 27 |
The VP-internal subject hypothesis (and notes on VP for next week) |
Readings: McCloskey (1997) Homework 2 (Key) |
||
Tue Feb 3 |
Topics | The internal structure of VP and the double object construction | Readings: Harley (2002), Richards (2001) Mahajan (1997) Homework 3 (Key) Discussion: AA, JN |
|
Tue Feb 10 |
The internal structure of DP (and notes on CP for next week) |
Readings: Abney (1987, ch. 1), Kishimoto (2000), Ritter (1991) Homework 4 (Key) Discussion: KF, JC |
||
Tue Feb 17: No class (BU Monday) | ||||
Tue Feb 24 |
Topics | The internal structure of CP | Readings: Rizzi (1997), Rizzi (1999) Homework 5 (Key) Discussion: RL, LW |
|
Tue Mar 3: No class (snow problem) | ||||
Tue Mar 10: No class (spring recess) | ||||
Tue Mar 17 |
Topics | Wh-movement | Readings: Boskovic (2002), Richards (2004) Homework 6 (Key) Discussion: KI, AN |
|
Thu Mar 19 |
Optimality Theoretic syntax, and homework discussion | Reading (optional): Pesetsky (1997) Discussion: AA |
||
Tue Mar 24 |
Wh-in-situ. | Project proposal due | Readings: Pesetsky (1987), Hagstrom (2006) Discussion: WR, AN, RL |
|
Tue Mar 31 |
Altern- ative views of syntax |
Linearization issues | Readings: Fox & Pesetsky (2005), Johnson (2002) Homework 7 (Key) Discussion: JC, JN, PL |
|
Tue Apr 7 |
Adverbs | Readings: Cinque (1999) [excerpts], Rackowski & Travis (2000) Discussion: KF, WR, LW |
||
Tue Apr 14 |
Left-to-right tree construction, TAG | Paper draft due | Readings: Phillips (2003), Frank (2006) Discussion: KI |
|
Tue Apr 21 |
Student conference |
Student conference (presentations)
|
||
Tue Apr 28 |
Student conference (presentations)
|
|||
Thu Apr 30: Semester ends |