Advanced Issues in Cognitive Science and Linguistics

Goals

Referring to knowledge

• To understand the main theoretical and empirical problems of modern formal syntax
• Understand the main empirical and theoretical problems of the syntax of copular sentences.
• Understand the main analyses of the syntax of copular sentences.

Referring to abilities, skills

• To be able to collect linguistic data in a rigorous way
• To process linguistic data for building empirical generalizations and testing theoretical hypothesis

Course plan

1. Background sessions (Xavier Villalba): In this part of the course we will introduce Minimalist Syntax in order to prepare students for the second part.

2. Course by invited professor Caroline Heycock (University of Edinburgh): This part of the course will be devoted to the syntax of copular sentences. A detailed program will be provided in due course. 

Part 2 takes the form of an intensive course imparted on 12-16 May 2025, 11:30 - 14:00.

Assessment

A short essay (up to 10 pages) on a topic of the course. Class participation will also be taken into account. 

Candidates for re-evaluation must have a minimum of 3 (range 3 - 4.9) and the final grade after re-evaluation can only be 5.