Students

LING2220 – Syntax

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Iain Giblin
iain.giblin@mq.edu.au
Felicity Cox
felicity.cox@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
LING110 or LING111 or LING1111
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is an introduction to syntactic theory from the perspective of Chomsky's Universal Grammar. It introduces important grammatical phenomena and demonstrates how these phenomena can be studied in a systematic theoretical manner. Students will learn about the grammatical principles that constitute human languages and acquire the ability to analyse phrases and sentences using these principles.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: apply diagnostic tests to identify structural features of natural langauge syntax
  • ULO2: read and draw syntax trees and apply syntactic transformations
  • ULO3: apply the scientific method to test hypotheses about the structure of English and other languages
  • ULO4: explain arguments for and against the theory of Universal Grammar
  • ULO5: research and explain a topic of study in syntax

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours) 

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

Late submissions for an assessment task will not be accepted once that assessment task has been marked and returned to students.

Special Consideration

If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration in accordance with the special consideration policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 30% No Week 4 and Week 9
Problem Sets 1-4 25% No Weeks 6, 8, 10, 12
Topic in syntax 15% No Week 13
Final Exam 30% No Exam Period

Quiz 1 and Quiz 2

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 4 and Week 9
Weighting: 30%

 

Tutorial quiz that covers essential material from previous weeks. Short answer quiz 40 minutes.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply diagnostic tests to identify structural features of natural langauge syntax
  • read and draw syntax trees and apply syntactic transformations
  • apply the scientific method to test hypotheses about the structure of English and other languages
  • explain arguments for and against the theory of Universal Grammar

Problem Sets 1-4

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Weeks 6, 8, 10, 12
Weighting: 25%

 

Problem Sets 1-4 present students with data that they must analyse using syntactic theory. Short answer questions. Each problem set approximately 500 words.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply diagnostic tests to identify structural features of natural langauge syntax
  • read and draw syntax trees and apply syntactic transformations
  • apply the scientific method to test hypotheses about the structure of English and other languages

Topic in syntax

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 15%

 

Students will research and write an expository essay on a topic in syntax. Approximately 800 words.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply diagnostic tests to identify structural features of natural langauge syntax
  • read and draw syntax trees and apply syntactic transformations
  • apply the scientific method to test hypotheses about the structure of English and other languages
  • explain arguments for and against the theory of Universal Grammar
  • research and explain a topic of study in syntax

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 30%

 

Final exam that covers unit work. Short answer questions. Two hour exam.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply diagnostic tests to identify structural features of natural langauge syntax
  • read and draw syntax trees and apply syntactic transformations
  • apply the scientific method to test hypotheses about the structure of English and other languages
  • explain arguments for and against the theory of Universal Grammar

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Unit content will be provided in lectures and tutorials. There is no assigned textbook for this unit.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook