Students
LING2220 – Syntax
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Iain Giblin
Margaret Wood
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
LING110 or LING111 or LING1111
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| 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.
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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
General Assessment Information
- It is a requirement in this unit that students sit the final exam. Students who do not sit the final exam will receive a grade of FA.
Late Submissions Policy
- Late submissions without an extension will receive a penalty of 3% of the total mark available for the assessment task per day including weekend days and public holidays. (Note: this is 3% of the total marks possible for the task – NOT 3% of the marks the student received. For example, if an assessment task is worth 100 marks and a student is two days late the mark for the task is reduced by 6 marks.)
- Late submission of an assessment task without an extension will not be accepted at all after the date on which marked assessment tasks have been released to the rest of the class. Any student with unsubmitted work at this date will receive a mark of 0 for the assessment task.
- Extensions will only be given in special circumstances, and can be requested by completing the Special Consideration request at ask.mq.edu.au and providing the requisite supporting documentation.
- Extensions that will result in submissions after the assessment task has been returned to the class will require a separate assessment task to be completed at the unit convenor's discretion.
- For more information on Special Consideration, see the university website https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration\
- If a student fails the unit due to non-submission of an assignment or non-attendance at an exam, an FA grade will be applied in accordance with the University's Assessment Policy.
- Unit convenors have the discretion to determine whether or not students should fail a unit on the basis of lateness penalties alone if other learning outcomes of the unit have been met.
Additional Assessment information
In-class quizzes will take place during the tutorials in week 4 and week 9.
Problem sets will be posted 2 weeks before the due date.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 | 30% | No | Weeks 4 and 9 |
| Problem Sets 1-4 | 25% | No | Weeks 6, 8, 10, and 12 |
| Topic in syntax | 15% | No | Week 13 |
| Final Exam | 30% | No | Examination Period |
Quiz 1 and Quiz 2
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 4 and 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, and 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: Examination 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
Textbook
Carnie, A. (2013), Syntax: A Generative Introduction (3rd edition). Wiley-Blackwell.
Carnie, A. (2013), The Syntax Workbook: A Companion to Carnie's Syntax. Wiley-Blackwell.
Students should purchase the hardcopy version of the textbook. Students will be allowed to take the published hardcopy of the textbook into the final examination. Electronic, photocopied, or printed versions (other than the published hardcopy itself) of the textbook will not be permitted in the final examination.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 2021.02 of the Handbook