Methods of Discourse Analysis

obligatory courses

Classroom

The lecture demonstrates various methodological approaches that represent the tool kit in the study of discourse in its broad manifestations. The research methods include a wide spectrum of conceptual frameworks and practical devices that are used to examine diverse contexts and configurations of social interaction. It is illustrated by cases of institutional, political, media, professional, promotional, educational, healthcare, etc. communication. They will be tackled from the perspectives of both linguistic discourse analysis and social discourse analysis.

The lecture demonstrates various methodological approaches that represent the tool kit in the study of discourse in its broad manifestations. The research methods include a wide spectrum of conceptual frameworks and practical devices that are used to examine diverse contexts and configurations of social interaction. It is illustrated by cases of institutional, political, media, professional, promotional, educational, healthcare, etc. communication. They will be tackled from the perspectives of both linguistic discourse analysis and social discourse analysis. The course prepares students for advanced research on discourse-driven phenomena and processes of social interaction.

Student’s contribution to the course:

30hrs – participation in classes

30hrs – readings and literature analysis

30hrs – preparation for the final exam

Bush, Robert A. Baruch and Joseph P. Folger. 2005. The Promise of Mediation. The Transformative Approach to Conflict. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, chaps. 1-3 (pp. 7-130)

Chilton, Paul. 2004. Analysing Political Discourse. Theory and Practice. London: Routledge, chaps. 4, 9.

Dijk, Teun A. van (ed.) 1997. Discourse Studies: A Multidisciplinary Introduction. Volumes 1-2. London: Sage.

Fairclough, Norman. 1989. Language and Power. London and New York: Longman.

Gee, James P. and Michael Handford (eds.) 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis. London and New York: Routledge.

Giles, Howard, Justine Coupland and Nicholas Coupland. 1991. Contexts of Accommodation: Developments in Applied Sociolinguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Grillo, Eric. (ed.). 2005. Power without Domination. Dialogism and the Empowering Property of Communication. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Goffman, Erving. 1990. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. London: Penguin.

Harré, Rom and Luk van Langenhove (eds.) 1999. Positioning Theory. Moral Contexts of Intentional Action. Oxford: Blackwell.

Reisigl, Martin. 2007. “Discrimination in discourse”, in: Helga Kotthoff and Helen Spencer-Oately (eds.) Handbook of Intercultural Communication. Berlin, New York: Mouton de Gruyter (pp. 365-394).

Tannen, Deborah, Heidi E. Hamilton and Deborah Schiffrin (eds.) 2015. The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Volumes 1-2 (2nd edition). Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

Winslade, John / Gerald Monk. 2000. Narrative Mediation. A New Approach to Conflict Resolution. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, chap. 3 (pp. 57-93), chap. 6 (pp. 137-156).

Wodak, Ruth. 2003. “Populist discourses”. Document Design 4/2: 132-148.

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands:

-in depth, the complex structure of language as a system

-in-depth, biological, cultural and communicative-social aspects of language use

-in-depth, specialized terminology in the fields of theoretical linguistics, corpus linguistics, neuroscience

-in-depth, fundamental problems of language use as an interlingual and intercultural phenomenon

-in-depth, the main directions of development and contemporary research trends in linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) and knows where the most important linguistic research centers in Europe and the world are located

-in-depth, research methods used in: psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, corpus linguistics, digital linguistics and text linguistics, as well as statistical models

-in-depth, the role of language in communication between people and cultures, and linguistic phenomena in a broader cognitive, communicative and social context

Skills: the graduate is able to:

-use in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge to carry out research work and solve complex problems in linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) using appropriate methodology

-to an in-depth degree, search, analyze, evaluate and select information in the native language and foreign languages

-use advanced research tools of linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus-based) and select research methods appropriately to the problems undertaken

-use a foreign language to an advanced degree (C2 level) in specialized terminology in the field of linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics)

-communicate in native and foreign language in various professional situations with specialists, using various channels and communication techniques and strategies

-express one's own views and opinions orally and in writing in foreign languages and the native language, and present the views and arguments of third parties in foreign languages and the native language

Social competences: the graduate is ready to:

-recognize the importance of the latest linguistic knowledge and critically evaluate research in linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics), especially those published in scientific journals and monographs and popular science sources

-recognize the importance of linguistic knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems and to consult with experts

-adequately identify and resolve problems of interlingual, intercultural and social communication

-initiate and carry out linguistic research, in particular to improve accessibility in the dimensions of language, information and communication

-perform the profession of a language, cultural, educational mediator in accordance with the principles of professional ethics

Assessment method: oral exam (in the form of a presentation of an individual research project)

The condition to take the exam is regular attendance at classes; max. 2 absences allowed.

Assessment criteria:

The exam is assessed on the basis of

- material coverage;

- the ability to refer to the literature of the subject;

- correct application of relevant methods to specific research problems;

- the ability to express oneself scientifically on a selected topic.

Share of the exam’s content (%) in the final grade:

90% and more – 5

85%-89% – 4+

80%-84% – 4

70%-79% – 3+

60%-69% – 3