Schedule

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)
Related: 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)

  • AA.
  • JC.
  • WR.
  • LW.
Tue
Apr 28
Student conference (presentations)

  • KF.
  • KI.
  • RL.
  • AN.
  • JN.
Thu Apr 30: Semester ends