Syntax

Cross listed with LINGST 4640 and 7640

This course introduces some of the essential topics in morphology (word structure) and syntax (sentence structure) through problem-solving, analysis, and hands-on research. Students will learn to analyze the structure of words, phrases, and sentences in languages from around the world. The course prepares students to analyze and discuss grammatical patterns with technical precision in any language.

This semester, we will adopt an experiential learning component of the class that runs throughout the term. We will practice morphosyntactic description and analysis and apply research methods of professional linguists to study the grammatical system of an underdocumented language, working with original language materials.

There are no prerequisites for this course, but it is recommended that students have taken one prior course in Linguistics, such as LINGST 1060, Human Language. A course on language structure such as LINGST 4600 Structure of American English or a language course that introduces grammatical terminology may be helpful but is not required. This course satisfies a core prerequisite of the capstone course of the Linguistics major, LING 4870, Field Methods in Linguistics.