Topics in Syntax

Convenor: Prof Ian Roberts

In this seminar we will read selections from the primary-source literature in generative syntax, focusing on some of the most influential articles and chapters.  The readings will span some 50 years, covering issues in every major domain in the clause (e.g. the nominal, verbal, and discourse/criterial domains), and various other topics, including negation, word order, and crosslinguistic variation.  The course is intended as a means of introducing students to the primary literature in the field, and the lessons to be learned from it (e.g. how to structure a syntactic argument, how to use data compellingly, etc.).