Morphological Theory

4.0 credits

This course is an overview of advanced topics in morphology. The course first introduces students to the landscape of possible morphological theories and what different implications they hold for linguistic theory more broadly, since morphology interfaces with syntax, phonology, and semantics. The interface with syntax is explored in light of possible distinctions between word and morpheme and between inflectional and derivational morphology. The course explores modern perspectives on major types of morphological systems, such as fusional morphology, agglutinative morphology, templatic morphology, and polysynthesis. The course examines various theoretical and empirical aspects of morphology from topics such as inflection vs. derivation, concord vs. agreement, the individuation of roots, blocking, polysemy, suppletion, syncretism, and secondary or multiple exponence.