116-450 Topics in French Syntax and Semantics

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

A major in French (Post-VCE French stream), or equivalent.

Contact

Subject Description

Areas of French grammar, chosen for their theoretical interest as well as their practical usefulness are studied: the personal pronouns (in particular the concept of deixis; the adverbial pronouns; the role of animacy); the impersonal construction (in particular restrictions on its use); the categories of tense and aspect (in particular the past tenses). Students gain an awareness of the complexity and subtleties of the linguistic categories and constructions. They learn how to critically evaluate standard reference grammars of French; they read and discuss some basic, moderately technical works on French syntax and semantics. Students who complete this subject should: have gained an awareness of the complexity and subtleties of selected linguistic structures; have gained familiarity with standard reference grammars of French and with some technical works on French syntax; demonstrate an in-depth understanding of particular syntactic/semantic constructions.

Assessment

Written work totalling not more than 6000 words.

Prescribed Texts

See French Studies Subject Guide. Selected articles will be compiled by the Department.