Can an "adverb of time" modify a noun/ noun phrase?

Question

I'm aware that an "adverb of time" usually just modifies a verb and answers the question "when". But, I'm a bit confused with this sentence here:

"He completed a course for a period of 1 year in the last 2 years."

Questions:

1. Is the "in the last 2 years" an adverb of time?
2. If so, does the "in the last 2 years" modify the action word "completed" to indicate the position in time of that action, or it modifies the noun phrase "for a period of 1 year" to indicate the position in time of that noun phrase? Or, does it modify both: verb "completed" and the noun phrase "for a period of 1 year"? => Was the action "completed" "in the last 2 years" OR was the "for a period of 1 year" "in the last 2 years", or both were "in the last 2 years"?

(Sorry in advance, I tend to overthink and confuse myself.)

Thank you!

Answer 1

1. Yes, "in the last 2 years" is an adverbial phrase (not an adverb, which is a type of word).

2. The phrase arguably modifies either the verb "completed" or the entire clause "He completed a course for a period of 1 year".

The argument that it modifies the entire clause is strong because you can move the clause to the front of the sentence without changing the meaning:

In the last 2 years, he completed a course for a period of 1 year.

Either way, it definitely does not modify "for a period of 1 year".