116-450 Topics in French Syntax and Semantics

Formerly available as 116-043. Students who have completed 116-043 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in French or linguistics and applied linguistics.

This subject focuses on areas of French grammar, chosen for their theoretical interest as well as their practical usefulness: 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 should gain an awareness of the complexity and subtleties of the linguistic categories and constructions; they should learn how to critically evaluate standard reference grammars of French; they should read and discuss some basic, moderately technical works on French syntax and semantics.

• be capable of communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically - through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• develop skills in written communication through essay and assignment preparation and writing;

• develop skills in public speaking and confidence in self-expression through tutorial participation and class presentations;

• develop attention to detail through close reading and textual analysis, essay preparation and writing, and examination revision;

• develop skills in time management and planning through managing and organizing workloads for required and recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and revision for examinations.