Elective Course: The Syntax of Control in English & Romanian: The Infinitive/Subjunctive

Cut
Lecturer: Maura Cotfas; Spring semester, 2016

Course description:
Aims:
The course addresses students in their final year of study, majoring or minoring in English.

Based mainly on the PhD thesis defended in 2012, it aims to discuss (syntactic) issues pertaining to Control
Theory in English infinitive complements and in their Romanian counterparts – i.e., subjunctive
complements. Hence, a fair familiarization of students with a) basic concepts related to the syntax of
complement clauses and b) the finite/non-finite divide is definitely welcome – if not a pre-requisite.

Starting with an introduction into the topic of empty categories, the course goes on to discuss Control in
English and then focuses on the data in Romanian, trying to underline the similarities and differences
between the two languages (in control contexts). These can be observed not only w.r.t a) the type of
complement clause selected by so-called ‘control verbs’, but also to b) the very possibility of adapting
theories initially proposed for English to analyze the Romanian data.

Benefits 
Besides the chance to gain more insight into Binding Theory or the analysis of Control (and implicitly the
very productive infinitive constructions) in English, the course offers the opportunity of a better
understanding of some interesting phenomena manifest in Romanian, which is compared not only to
English, but also – on the one hand – to the Romance group and – on the other – to (a few) Balkan
languages, with which it shares significant properties, the most important being (perhaps) the use of the
subjunctive/’conjunctiv’ in control environments.

 Evaluation:
► seminar attendance (+activity): 20 points
► Midterm / Quizz1 (week 6): 30 points
►Final evaluation: take-home test: 2 parts: Part A: 4 comprehension questions; Part B: a little
research project2: 50 points (20 points for Part A; 25 points for Part B; !5 points bonus for
outstanding work/answers)

 Syllabus:

 Week 1: Warming up to the topic & Background issues

 Weeks 2 & 3: Defining the aims: key concepts & working tools (empty categories, Binding Theory)
 Weeks 4&5: Control in English (infinitives)
 Week 6: Mini-midterm (30’- 40’) & Expanding Control: Control instances cross-linguistically;
Finiteness & Control.
 Week 7: Romanian subjunctive complements & Control Theory
 Week 8: Control in Romanian (continued)
 Week 9: The final picture: Control in English and Romanian: ‘infinitive’ vs. ‘subjunctive’ languages
 Week 10: Taking stock & drawing conclusions.

1
15 questions (2 points/item)//more questions with either 1/2/3 points each > detailing / explaining concepts discussed throughout the course, discuss
some examples (>> theory + practice).
2
The research part should basically debate/discuss some of the issues discussed, focusing (for example) on the language that students have as major or
minor (other than English). It needn’t suggest enlightening solutions or solve problems, as long as it manages to state things and present data in a clear
and concise manner and make proof of a proper understanding of the issues discussed. A list of topics/titles can be provided upon request.