EN-467 Discourse Analysis

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Advanced Teacher Education level 8-13, 5-year Master's Programme
• Translation and Professional Communication, Master's programme
• Master's Programme in English

Teaching language

English

Course contents

This course is designed to introduce students to discourse analysis in the context of American and British public and political discourse. The course will begin with the theoretical foundations of these approaches and then examine concrete analytical sites including political speeches and debates, official and polemical websites, government policy documents and related texts in the North American and British contexts. The course addresses how to use these approaches as part of a toolkit with which to analyze public debate, official statements and governing documents.

The course encourages students to examine how language produces meaning, to study the denotative and connotative aspects of communication, and to appreciate the role of multiple discourse partners in the creation of texts and interpretations. Students will hone their abilities to analyze texts, discourse participant stance, and genre and generic expectations. In particular, the course aims to introduce students to the uses of discourse analytical tools to evaluate how language shapes and is shaped by public discourse, political conflicts and contested world views.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students have knowledge about

• discourse analytical theories
• discourse analysis methods and techniques
• contexts where discourse analytical tools can be used

Upon successful completion of this course, students are able to

• understand methods of discourse analysis, particularly when used to analyze public and political texts
• demonstrate critical thinking in the choice of analytical tools
• identify public and political documents that benefit from critical analysis
• develop independent written critical analyses of different types of texts

Examination requirements

One oral presentation must be assessed as a pass.

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussions. Active and regular participation is expected. The estimated workload is approximately 270 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.

Admission for external candidates

No

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes, if there are places available

Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module

Same admission requirements apply as for the master's programme in English or same admission requirements apply as for the master's programme in Translation and Professional Communication.

Assessment methods and criteria

7-day individual home exam. Graded assessment.