Welcome to 24.951

24.951 Introduction to Syntax

This class is concerned with the concepts and principles that have been of central significance in the recent development of syntactic theory.

We will begin by developing a particular architecture for thinking about syntactic phenomena: based on the operation "Merge". We then turn to a variety of topics that put this simple idea to the test. We will also touch occasionally on the interaction of syntactic processes with semantics and phonology.

The Spring semester continuation of this class (24.952) will build on this semester's material, focusing more intensively than this semester on so-called Ā ("A-bar") phenomena.

Level of the class

This class serves as the first foundational course in syntax within our graduate program. Experience teaches us that among our first-year graduate students, there is usually significant diversity in the nature and degree of preparation. In response, we have tried to craft a first-year sequence (24.951 and 24.952) that covers basic discoveries and issues in a systematic way, while offering enough glimpses of current controversies and the unknown to keep those with more preparation learning new things. We need your feedback throughout the term so we can tell how well we are serving your syntactic needs, and we urgently need to know if we are leaving you confused or unproductively frustrated.

Graduate students from other departments and motivated undergraduates are also welcome if they have taken a previous syntax course. If you are new to syntax, you should not sign up for this class. Instead, you should take 24.902/24.932.

Syllabus

The syllabus and other course information is here Download here,