LIN 232H5F

Syntactic Patterns in Language

Fall Session 2016 - Department of Language Studies

Course Description

Approach This course explores the nature and organization of sentences and their
component parts within the theoretical framework of generative grammar. Our
focus will be on modeling the set of procedures responsible for the way
sentences are formed based on the identification of basic syntactic units and the
operations that combine them. The importance of the scientific method to the
study of syntax is emphasized and as such, students will develop a firm grasp of
analytic skills through theoretical discussion, reflection, and practical
applications. Such analytic techniques are essential to linguistic inquiry, but
clearly transcend academic disciplines.
Concepts The following concepts are fundamental to this course: grammatical category
(lexical vs functional), syntactic constituency, X-bar theory, selectional
restrictions, binding, movement.
Learning The successful student will be able to:
Outcomes recognize, recall, and demonstrate understanding of the main assumptions
underlying the generative grammar approach to syntax.
identify the major grammatical categories, and determine the part of speech of a
word using distribution tests.
use and create syntactic rules, and apply constituency tests to justify
hierarchical structures
recognize the three major structural relations: domination, precedence, c-
command.
diagram and explain binding domains
apply tests to distinguish between complements and adjuncts and diagramming
them using X-bar theory.
identify and diagram clauses and various clause types using X-bar theory
describe the selectional restrictions of predicates using thematic relations, and
apply the restrictions to the syntax in terms of theta theory.
Identify movement parameters given a data set, diagram examples of head
movement.
clearly show the difference between D- and S-structure.
diagram DP movement, and justify the presence/absence of DP movement or
ungrammaticality using theta theory and Case.
diagram and explain examples of Wh-movement in terms of locality constraints,
theta theory, and Case.
Course Location and Time

Location DV 1143
Meeting time Wednesdays 15:00-18:00.

Instructional Team

Instructor Michelle Troberg

https://focus.library.utoronto.ca/people/1857-Michelle_Troberg
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/language-studies/faculty-staff-0/full-time-part-
time-faculty

Office location Suite 304, room B, Erindale Hall, University of Toronto Mississauga
Email michelle.troberg@utoronto.ca I will respond to email messages within 48
hours.
Course grader Alex Motut: PhD candidate in the Department of Linguistics. Her research
interests are in theoretical syntax and the syntax-semantics interface.

Required Textbook
Carnie, Andrew. 2013. Syntax: A Generative Introduction. 3rd edition. Blackwell

Copies of the textbook (used and new) are available online and at the UTM Bookstore. Please
use the 3rd edition. The textbook is also available at the UTM Library and Robarts Library

The author of this textbook has developed a workbook (with solutions) to accompany the
textbook. Students find it to be very useful. It is available online, and the UTM Bookstore has
ordered some copies. There is also a copy at the UTM Library.

Carnie, Andrew. 2013. The Syntax Workbook: A Companion to Carnies Syntax. Blackwell.

Prerequisites and Expectations

Prerequisite LIN102H5 (or LIN100H5/LIN100H1)

We have the expectation that students will treat each other and all faculty, staff,
Academic
and TAs with respect and honesty. Students can expect the same from us.
Conduct
UTM students are subject to policies regarding academic honesty as set out by
the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. Please read and become familiar
with policies regarding academic honesty set out in this code:
http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/behaveac.htm.

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Academic Academic integrity is essential to the pursuit of learning and scholarship in a
Offense university, and to ensuring that a degree from the University of Toronto is a
strong signal of each students individual academic achievement. As a result, the
University treats cases of cheating and plagiarism very seriously.
Potential offences include, but are not limited to:
In papers and assignments:
- Using someone elses ideas or words without appropriate acknowledgement.
- Submitting your own work in more than one course without the permission of the
instructor.
- Making up sources or facts.
- Obtaining or providing unauthorized assistance on any assignment.
On tests and exams:
- Using or possessing unauthorized aids.
- Looking at someone elses answers during an exam or test.
- Misrepresenting your identity.
In academic work:
- Falsifying institutional documents or grades.
- Falsifying or altering any documentation required by the University, including
(but not limited to) doctors notes.
All suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be investigated following
procedures outlined in the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. If you have
questions or concerns about what constitutes appropriate academic behaviour or
appropriate research and citation methods, you are expected to seek out
additional information on academic integrity from your instructor or from other
institutional resources:
http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/osai/students/students

The University provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities

Accommodation
in accordance with the terms of the Ontario Human Rights Code. This occurs
through a collaborative process that acknowledges a collective obligation to
develop an accessible learning environment that both meets the needs of
students and preserves the essential academic requirements of the University's
courses and programs.
For more information on services and resources available to instructors and
students, please contact Tanya Lewis, Director, Academic Skills and Accessibility
Services at 416-978-6786; tanya.lewis@utoronto.ca.

The University of Toronto is committed to equity and respect for diversity. All
Equity members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an
atmosphere of mutual respect. As a course instructor, I will neither condone nor
tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual in
this course and wish to be alerted to any attempt to create an intimidating or
hostile environment. It is our collective responsibility to create a space that is
inclusive and welcomes discussion. Discrimination, harassment and hate speech
will not be tolerated. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may
contact the UTM Equity and Diversity officer at edo.utm@utoronto.ca or the
University of Toronto Mississauga Students Union Vice President Equity at
vpequity@utmsu.ca.

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Academic You, as a student at UTM, have the right to:
Rights - Receive a syllabus by the first day of class.
- Rely upon a syllabus once a course is started. An instructor may only change marks
assignments by following the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy
provision 1.3.
- Have access to your instructor for consultation during a course or follow up with the
department chair if the instructor is unavailable.
- Ask the person who marked your term work for a re-evaluation if you feel it was not fairly
graded. You have up to one month from the date of return of the item to inquire about the
mark. If you are not satisfied with a re-evaluation, you may appeal to the instructor in
charge of the course if the instructor did not mark the work. If your work is remarked, you
must accept the resulting mark. You may only appeal a mark beyond the instructor if the
term work was worth at least 20% of the course mark.
- Receive at least one significant mark (15% for H courses, 25% for Y courses) before the
last day you can drop a course for H courses, and the last day of classes in the first week
of January for Y courses taught in the Fall/Winter terms.
- Submit handwritten essays so long as they are neatly written.
- Not have a term test worth 25% or more in the last two weeks of class.
- Retain intellectual property rights to your research.
- Receive all your assignments once graded.
- View your final exams. To see a final exam, you must submit an online Exam -
Reproduction Request within 6 months of the exam. There is a small non-refundable fee.
- Privacy of your final grades.
- Arrange for representation from Downtown Legal Services (DLS), a representative from
the UTM Students Union (UTMSU), and/or other forms of support if you are charged with
an academic offence.

How This Course Works

Blackboard You will be able to access all course content through your LIN232 lecture shell
within Blackboard. The course is divided into 12 lessons, approximately one per
week.

Wednesday A large part of your success in the course depends on your preparation for the
classes Wednesday class. We expect you to have read the weeks reading and to have
completed some preliminary exercises before class.
Every class will begin with a 10 minute quiz on basic notions from the reading.
Your best 8/10 quizzes will count towards your final grade. After the quiz, we will
then discuss, review and apply the concepts introduced in the reading as a
class and in small groups. At the end of every class, Ill ask you to complete a
ticket out the door, a quick assessment of your ability to apply the concepts
discussed in class. This also provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your
learning that day.

On our Blackboard site, youll find links to videos that cover many of the
Syntax videos
concepts introduced in the chapters. They are very informative and can be
useful as a gateway into the material or as a review, especially if you like
animated tree structures!

Practice Practice is essential to becoming fluent in understanding, applying, and

extending the concepts you will learn about. We will practice as much as
possible during our Wednesday classes, but you must work on your own as well.

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Evaluation
Assessment Quizzes (8) 10%
Assignments (4) 35%
Participation 15%
Midterm Test 15%
Final Exam 25%

Quizzes The ten quizzes are designed to be low-stakes learning tools They will take 10-
15 minutes and will assess your understanding of the basic concepts introduced
in the weeks reading.
There will be quizzes at the beginning of every class, but only your 8 BEST
quizzes will count towards your final grade. Each quiz ends up being worth a
little more than 1%.

Homework The four homework assignments ask you to apply, analyze, synthesize, and
Assignments evaluate concepts that you will have had a chance to review and explore during
in-class discussion and application.
The penalty for a late assignment is 10% per day, up to 6 days, at which point
we will no longer accept it. Assignments are due at the beginning of class.
Assignments submitted later in class or that day will be subject to this penalty. If
you know you will be absent when an assignment is due, please submit it in
advance of the class.

Participation 10% for completion and quality of the ticket out the door assessments; 5% for
overall preparation, positive contribution to the session, and demonstrated
evidence of effort to improve ones understanding (eg. corrections on h/w and
midterm test).

Midterm Test The midterm test (2 hrs) will be delivered in class in the 5th week of class
(October 5th). It is cumulative and will be representative of all material discussed
and reviewed in the course to that point.
Final Exam The final exam (3 hours) is set and administered by the Registrar at the UTM
campus. All rules set out by the Registrar for participation in the Final Exam
apply. The exam is cumulative and will be representative of all material
discussed and reviewed in the course, with an emphasis on the material covered
after the midterm test.

Deadlines Deadlines and dates of assignments and quizzes are subject to change and will
be confirmed by the instructor. Any changes will be announced on Blackboard
and in class. If you miss a quiz, assignment deadline, or the midterm test for
reasons genuinely beyond your control, you may ask for special consideration.
To do so, you must 1) contact your instructor by email immediately upon
missing a quiz or deadline: within 48 hours, and 2) provide documentation
indicating that the assessment was missed for reasons genuinely beyond your
control (UofT medical certificate, death certificate, etc.). It is at the instructors
discretion as to how the missed assessment will be made up.

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 Request for If you feel that a question or questions were not graded correctly on an
assignment assignment or test, or if there was an error in the calculation, please complete a
regrade regrade request form (posted on the portal). Submit the completed form along
with your assignment to me. I will then carefully consider your work. Note that
we will only consider an assignment for regarding up to four weeks after it
has been returned.

2016 FALL SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO MINOR CHANGES)

WEEK DATE

1 Sept. 6-11 Read Carnie, Chapter 1: Generative Grammar

Chapter 2: Parts of Speech

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Sept. 7th

Discussion and application of chapters 1&2
Discussion of the syllabus
Ticket out the door

2 Sept.12-18 Read Carnie, Chapter 3: Constituency

Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Sept. 14th

Quiz #1 (ch.3)
Discussion and application
Ticket out the door
Homework #1 assigned

Sept. 19-
3 25 Read Carnie, Chapter 4: Structural Relations
Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Fridays class: Sept. 21th

Homework #1 due (ch.1-3)
Quiz#2 (ch.4)
Discussion and application
Ticket out the door

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4 Sept. 26 Read Carnie, Chapter 5: Binding Theory
Oct. 2 Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Sept. 28th

Quiz #3 (ch.5)
Discussion and application
Homework #1 returned; reflection and discussion
Ticket out the door

5 Oct. 3-9 Review Carnie, Chapters 1-5

Wednesdays class: Oct.5th

Group review
Midterm Test (Chapters1-5; 1.5 hours)

Oct.10-16 Thanksgiving Holiday & Reading Break

6 Oct.17-23 Read Carnie, Chapter 6: X-bar Theory

Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Oct.19th

Quiz#4 (ch.6)
Discussion and application
Midterm exam returned reflection and corrections
Ticket out the door
Homework #2 assigned

7 Oct. 24-30 Read Carnie, Chapter 7: Extending X-bar Theory

Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Oct.26th

Quiz#5 (ch.7)
Discussion and application
Ticket out the door

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8 Oct. 31 - Read Carnie, Chapter 8: Constraining X-bar Theory
Nov. 6 Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Nov. 2nd

Homework #2 due (ch.6&7)
Quiz #6 (ch.8)
Discussion and application
Ticket out the door
Homework #3 assigned

9 Nov. 7-13 Read Carnie, Chapter 9: Auxiliaries and Functional Categories

Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Nov.9th

Quiz#7 (ch.9)
Discussion and application
Homework #2 returned; reflection and discussion
Ticket out the door

10 Nov. 14-20 Read Carnie, Chapter 10: Head-to-Head Movement

Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Nov.16th

Homework #3 due (ch.8&9)
Quiz #8 (ch.10)
Discussion and application
Ticket out the door
Homework #4 assigned

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11 Nov. 21-27 Read Carnie, Chapter 11: DP Movement
Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Nov.23th

Quiz#9 (ch.11)
Discussion and application
Homework #3 returned; reflection and discussion
Ticket out the door

12 Nov. 28
Dec. 4 Read Carnie, Chapter 12: Wh-Movement and Locality
Prepare assigned problems

Watch syntax videos (optional)

Wednesdays class: Nov.30th

Homework #4 due (ch.10&11)
Quiz #10 (ch.12)
Discussion and application
Ticket out the door

Dec. 6-7 STUDY BREAK

Pick up HW#4
Study session TBA

Dec. 8-20 FINAL EXAM: (exact location and time TBA)