Studying at the University of Verona
Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.
Study Plan
This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:
Laurea magistrale in Linguistics - Enrollment from 2025/2026The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.
1° Year
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One module to be chosen among the followingOne module to be chosen between the followingOne module to be chosen among the followingOne module to be chosen among the following| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
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Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)
TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.
Morpho-Syntax (2020/2021)
Teaching code
4S007301
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
English
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS
Period
CuCi IB dal Nov 9, 2020 al Jan 9, 2021.
Learning outcomes
The course aims to provide an introduction to the morpho-syntax of natural languages within the Principles and Parameters model of the generative grammar framework. Besides a formal approach, the contents are approached from the perspective of first language acquisition, in terms of both typical and atypical language development (specific language disorders and developmental dyslexia). The course therefore proposes to set some fundamental epistemological bases also for the “Language Learning” module.
At the end of the course, the student:
1. knows the basic concepts in the morpho-syntax of natural languages and is able to analyze the combinatorial and movement rules at the basis of the derivation of syntactic structures;
2. knows how to apply the acquired knowledge for the purposes of:
• recognizing, describing and analyzing some syntactic phenomena autonomously, with particular reference to the English and Italian languages;
• representing the structure of phrases and sentences with tree diagrams;
• analyzing phenomena of head and phrasal movement.
3. is able to use and evaluate independently the technical literature of the scientific field;
4. is able to re-elaborate the acquired theoretical knowledge and to apply it, even autonomously and/or critically, to the domains of typical and atypical language development and, more generally, in other domains of the present Master's Degree Program and in a possible continuation of the post-graduate studies.
Program
This course allows you to acquire the theoretical assumptions and analytical tools to address the study of minimalist syntax, focusing on data and grammatical structures of English and Italian. Starting from the notions of linguistic categories and constituents, we will study how to represent the syntactic structure of phrases and sentences, focusing on the concept of movement. In addition, a perspective of analysis focused on the development of syntax will be offered, also considering grammar development in the case of language disorders (atypical development), and illustrating the results of the most recent experimental psycholinguistic research.
Theoretical concepts:
- Acquisition of Language and Syntax: Universal Grammar and parametric variation
- Preliminary concepts: categories and constituency tests
- The structure of the constituents and the X-bar theory
- The structure of sentences: TP and CP
- Null constituents: null subjects, null determinants, null auxiliary, null complementary
- Movement:
- head to head
- Wh movement
- a-movement
Typical and atypical development:
- verbal inflection
- sentence structure
- passive and relative clauses
DIDACTIC METHODS:
Lectures and exercises. Exercises will be the focus of the practical classes that will be held by a didactic tutor (for an amount of 20 extra hours).
From 23rd of November until 14th of December, class will be held by a guest teacher, Dr. Diego Krivochen.
COURSE ATTENDANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
HOW TO ATTEND
The lessons of this course will be delivered in "dual" mode, i.e. they will be held in presence (room H, Mon-Tue-Wed, from 10.10 to 11.50, on the dates you will find on the academic calendar) and streamed via Zoom.
On the Moodle platform of this module, you will find the link through which you can attend class via Zoom: there will be no waiting room, but, please, wait for the meeting to be started. The lessons will be recorded (with the consent of those who participate remotely) and then deposited both on the Panopto platform and on the Moodle of this course.
To attend lessons in person, it is necessary to reserve a place in the classroom through the UNIVR Lezioni app. To follow via streaming it is necessary to subscribe to the Moodle platform of the course and have this course registered on your study plan in esse3.
REFERENCE TEXTS:
Radford, A (2004). Minimalist Syntax: Exploring the structure of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapters 1 to 7.
Guasti, M.T. (2016). Language Acquisition. [second edition]. Cambridge, Mass: Mit Press. [chaps. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11.]
Suggested reading:
Adger, D. (2003). Core Syntax. Oxford University Press: Oxford. [chapters 1.2.3.]
Attending and non-attending students are invited to read the detailed program and download the materials published on the e-learning page of the course.
| Author | Title | Publishing house | Year | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Teresa Guasti | Language Acquisition: The Growth of Grammar (Edizione 2) | MIT press | 2016 | 9780262529389 | |
| Andrew Radford | Minimalist Syntax: Exploring the structure of English. | CUP | 2004 |
Examination Methods
*** ATTENTION: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and in accordance with the University of Verona guidelines, the assessment modality will be at distance: specifically, it will be a paper-based exam via Zoom/Moodle. Further information is available on the Moodle of the course. ***
Written test: the exam consists of a written test lasting 1:15 hours and will include open and multiple-choice questions on the theoretical part, as well as exercises in which you will be asked to represent the syntactic structure of some sentences, on the model discussed during the course.
The exam will verify the theoretical and practical skills acquired during the course, as well as your ability to represent the structure of sentences with tree diagrams. The questions will therefore cover all the topics of the program, both those treated in the classroom during the lessons and which will be made available on the e-learning platform, and those you prepared independently on the texts indicated.
Attending and non attending students will be administered the same exam. Attending students who participate in work groups and presentations can get bonus points (0-2) to be added to the result of the written test.
The tests will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- substantial correctness of the answers and exhaustiveness of the contents;
- expressive clarity, argumentative capacity and knowledge of the specific language of the subject;
- correctness and precision in carrying out the exercises.
The final evaluation will be expressed along a scale from 18 to 30.
