Aspect and argument structure
The course is an introduction to how semantics and syntax try to best represent the relationship holding at the sentence / proposition level between certain lexical items and the obligatory presence of others. The course is also about the interface component, argument structure, and its usefulness.
Course Objectives:
- To introduce students to the relation/interaction between the lexicon and the syntax of English
- To acquaint them with the current debate over the issues thereof
Course content:
- Aspect as a determining factor of predicate classification
- Verbal and related nominal predicate argument structure
- Syntactic derivation/representation of nominalised structures
TEACHING METHOD:
Lectures and student presentations.
TEXTBOOK:
No set textbook is set. The students will be issued a series of handouts that would cover the topics set for this course.
Evaluation:
The presentations and the reviews by the students will count as continuous assessment. We may also opt for having an end of term test.