Universität Wien

120227 SE Linguistics Seminar / MA historical & descriptive linguistics (2017S)

The English NP: structure and use

10.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 07.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 14.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 21.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 28.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 04.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 25.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 02.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 09.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 16.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 23.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 30.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 13.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 20.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Tuesday 27.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

It is generally acknowledged that, along with verbs, nouns are a dominant part of speech, playing a central role in verbal communication. It is therefore hardly surprising that a large amount of research has been carried out into the form, function and internal structure of noun phrases (NPs). Despite the wealth of descriptive information and the large number of structural analyses this has produced, there are nevertheless many fundamental issues that remain as yet unresolved. The aim of this course is to look in detail at a number of this issues, to consider the structural, functional and cognitive dimensions of NPs, and to explore the interaction between these dimensions.

Topics will include:
- the internal structure of the NP: heads, modifiers, determiners
- different types of heads, modifiers, determiners
- the use and analysis of pronouns
- the use and analysis of special types of NP: partitives ('three of my friends'), pseudo-partitives ('a box of chocolates', 'a pile of money'), binominals ('that fool of a doctor').
These topics will not be treated from the point of one particular theoretical model; instead, throughout the course, relevant principles and notions from various linguistic frameworks will be drawn upon, compared and critically reviewed.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students will be assessed on the basis of exercises (to be handed in during the semester) and a final essay. Active participation is required.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Course aims:
- to develop students’ knowledge of the structure and function of the English noun phrase
- to make students aware of some of the many interesting (and problematic) issues involved in the analysis of noun phrases (as well as other kinds of phrases);
- to acquaint students with some of the major theoretical approaches in linguistics (generative, functional, cognitive);
- to provide students with the tools and skills needed to describe complex linguistic structures, and to evaluate and develop analyses on the basis of careful argumentation.

Examination topics

Readings, classroom discussions, (group) presentation, individual research project.

Reading list

Required reading will be made available during the course.

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA812 [1]; MA 812 [2]; UF 344
Code/Modul: MA 04; UF 222
Lehrinhalt: 12-0368

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33