LING 500 Syntax II

The aim of this course is to provide students with the skills necessary to contribute to our understanding of modern generative syntactic theory (although other theories may be introduced by professors from different theoretical backgrounds). An overview of the theory of early generative grammar and its attendant problems will be presented in this course. Attempts to resolve these issues in contemporary syntax via the minimalist program will be covered in as much depth as possible. Using the skills and arguments developed in this course, students will be required to do original research on a particular problem of syntax.