HIF-3011 Syntax II - 10 stp

This course is mandatory in the MA programme in Theoretical Linguistics.

This course may be taken as a single course by students who qualify for admission to the MA programme in Theoretical Linguistics.

The course addresses recent studies of syntactic differences between languages, with a view to determining universal parameters. We will provide a close look at recent syntactic theory, especially when it comes to the use of these in the comparative study of the syntax of the Germanic languages. Through the analysis of variation within a group of closely related languages, important syntactic parameters will be illustrated.

The course is given in the form of a seminar, where topics from leading research in syntax are discussed.

Bachelor's Degree (180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification, in a language or linguistics, or a degree combining linguistics and literature (minimum 80 ECTS in linguistics/language/literature, of which minimum 60 ECTS must be in linguistics and/or language).

Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (2,5) in the ECTS scale, see UiT's webpage for international admissions for more information on how the point average is calculated.

Application code: 9371 - Enkeltemner på masternivå (Nordic applicants).

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has:

• a solid understanding of modern syntactic theory, with a basic grasp of standard analyses of a broad range of phenomena in English and other languages. For a number of phenomena of crucial theoretical interest, the student should be familiar with multiple analytic approaches, along with the main strengths and weaknesses of each.

Skills

The student is able to/can:

• evaluate and compare competing theories for a given phenomenon
• analyze new and unfamiliar data, describing its potential significance for broader theoretical questions

Lectures, exercises, seminars, project work.

Quality assurance

All courses undergo a halfway evaluation once in a 2-year period at the master´s level. The Programme Board determines which programme options will be evaluated per year, and which courses will be evaluated by the students and the teacher per year.