SE1362: Discourse

School Language and Communication
Department Code ENCAP
Module Code SE1362
External Subject Code 100318
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Nicholas Wilson
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2015/6

Outline Description of Module

This module introduces students to the various ways in which the term “discourse” is applied to the study of language.  Theories and methods that are covered include: Gricean pragmatics and speech act theory, pragmatic politeness theory, situated politeness theory, conversation analysis, ethnography of communication, interactional sociolinguistics, and critical discourse analysis.  As a core year two module, Discourse builds on topics covered in year one and provides core theoretical content that is further developed in many year three modules.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Knowledge and Understanding:

  • explain theoretical approaches to pragmatics and social interaction
  • give examples of talk and text illustrative of the relevant frameworks
  • summarise and paraphrase relevant literature on discourse, social interaction and pragmatics

 

Skills that will be practised and developed - Successful completion of this module will enable students to:

  • compare competing and complementary theories about how language is used
  • collect and analyse audio and textual data in relation to relevant theoretical frameworks
  • critically/ideologically interpret discourse in a range of contexts

How the module will be delivered

Timetabled sessions include 2 lectures and 1 seminar per week. During seminars, you may be required to make presentations and lead discussion. Lectures are usually supplemented with PowerPoint slides and handouts summarising content at a reasonable level of detail. These are usually made available on Learning Central during or immediately after the session. Audio and video are used in this module. Transcripts are provided where the audio or visual texts are analysed in detail or are a core element of the lecture or seminar.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Timetabled sessions include 2 lectures and 1 seminar per week. During seminars, you may be required to make presentations and lead discussion. Lectures are usually supplemented with PowerPoint slides and handouts summarising content at a reasonable level of detail. These are usually made available on Learning Central during or immediately after the session. Audio and video are used in this module. Transcripts are provided where the audio or visual texts are analysed in detail or are a core element of the lecture or seminar.

How the module will be assessed

The module is assessed by coursework (50%) and exam (50%).

The coursework involves a small research project or textual analysis and provides an opportunity to explore a topic in more depth. Your essay should demonstrate a good critical understanding of key issues, theories and concepts covered in weeks 1-5 of the module and should develop a clear and convincing argument presented according to the academic conventions outline in the English Language Undergraduate Student Handbook.

 

The exam is split into two sections, the first is a short answer section in which several definitions of key terms and examples are required.  The second section requires one argumentative essay from a choice of three topics covered in the module. You will need to read widely in advance of the examination and produce answers which evidence this reading.  It is however essential that you also reflect on what you have read and use it to construct your own answers to the questions set.  These answers should show an ability to reflect on the topics required by the questions and to address pertinent issues critically and carefully.

 

The module is assessed according to the Assessment Criteria set out in the English Language Undergraduate Student Handbook. Otherwise, there are no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Autumn Semester 50 Discourse 1.5
Written Assessment 50 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

  • Pragmatics: forms and functions of language in context; speech act theory, direct and indirect meaning; entailment, presupposition, inference and implicature.
  • Discourse and knowledge: defining textuality; coherence and cohesion; narrative; structure.
  • Contexts and Genres: the language/context relationship; ethnography of speaking, speech events; context and contextualisation cues; discourse colonies.
  • Social Interaction: methods of discourse analysis; ethnomethodology and conversation analysis; orderliness in discourse; rules and patterns of interaction in everyday and institutional settings; ethnography of communication.
  • Communication Ritual: relational goals in talk face work and politeness, phatic communion.
  • Critical Perspectives on Language as Social Practice: critical discourse analysis; language, ideology and the constitution of power and asymmetry; issues of knowledge, access and social control; linguistic hygiene.

Essential Reading and Resource List

Gee, J.P. (2011) An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and method

Grundy, P. (2008) Doing Pragmatics. London: Routledge.

Jaworski, A. and Coupland, N. (1999, 2006, 2014) The Discourse Reader. London: Routledge.

Paltridge, B. (2006) Discourse Analysis: An Introduction. London: Continuum.

Schiffrin, D. (1993) Approaches to Discourse.  Oxford: Blackwell

Sidnell, J. (2012) The Handbook of Conversation Analysis. Oxford: Blackwell

Thomas, J. (1995) Meaning in Interaction: An Introduction to Pragmatics. London: Longman.

Background Reading and Resource List

Gee, J.P. (2011) An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and method

Grundy, P. (2008) Doing Pragmatics. London: Routledge.

Jaworski, A. and Coupland, N. (1999, 2006, 2014) The Discourse Reader. London: Routledge.

Paltridge, B. (2006) Discourse Analysis: An Introduction. London: Continuum.

Schiffrin, D. (1993) Approaches to Discourse.  Oxford: Blackwell

Sidnell, J. (2012) The Handbook of Conversation Analysis. Oxford: Blackwell

Thomas, J. (1995) Meaning in Interaction: An Introduction to Pragmatics. London: Longman.


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