Linguistics 221A: Foundations of English Grammar

• Monday and Wednesday: 5:15--6:45 in Bldg. 460, Room 126.
• URL: http://lingo.stanford.edu/sag/L221a/05index.html
• Link to most recent L221a course website Here.
• Readings: various, many available on-line.

Instructor Info

Course Description

The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to key problems in the grammar of English and also an introduction to the framework of Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar (HPSG). Students are expected to have some background in syntax and semantics and not to be afraid of mathematical formalisms. For a syllabus and further links relevant to class lecture and discussion, see BELOW.

First Meeting

The first meeting of this class will be Monday, January 10 at 5:15 PM. Please finish the Gazdar reading by class.

Requirements

Students are expected to complete the assigned readings before each class. This may be challenging in some weeks. Class lectures will connect with the readings, but not everything in the readings will be covered in class. The default assumption is that students will continue with L221B in Spring quarter, in which case they should (in consultation with the instructor) submit at least a proposal or an abstract at the end of Winter quarter and a term paper at the end of Spring quarter. In addition, there will be problems or short essays due each week during the Winter. Coursework reduction can be negotiated for students enrolled for fewer than 3 units.

Because of the timing of the LSA meetings and the holiday schedule, we will have to miss a couple of classes. The first class meeting will be on Monday, January 10.

Syllabus (Dates are links)