Discourse Analysis

Bachelor 2019/2020

Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Foreign Languages

When: 4 year, 1-3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Вишнякова Ольга Дмитриевна

Language: English

ECTS credits: 8

Contact hours: 50

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Studying the course “DISCOURSE ANALYSIS” students have an opportunity to learn more about the contemporary research on the discourse, a research method for studying written or spoken language in relation to its social context. It aims to understand how language is used in real life situations.

Learning Objectives

The aim and purpose of the course “DISCOURSE ANALYSIS” is to inform students on the basis of research view of the essence and analysis of discourse as one of the most important issues in terms of contemporary linguistic and interdisciplinary studies.

Expected Learning Outcomes

awareness of fundamental concepts and terms of discourse theory and practical application of the knowledge
awareness of the history and present-day situation in discourse studies in general and discourse analysis as the reliable approach to the concept and essence of discourse
awareness of the linguistic and interdisciplinary research advances in the field of discourse analysis
ability to detect specific features of communication skills application on the basis of the theoretical knowledge acquired

Course Contents

Topic 1. The notion of discourse in linguistics and other fields of knowledge.
Theoretical approaches to discourse as an interdisciplinary phenomenon (general characteristics). Discourse and text correlation. Discourse and functions of language. Linguistic theories of discourse.
Topic 2. Discourse analysis in terms of communicative paradigm.
Models of communication (the code model of communication, inferential model, interactional model). The notion of institutional discourse (the political discourse case study).
Topic 3 Linguistic theories of discourse.
Models of communication, inferential model, interactional model). Discourse as structure and process. Basic approaches to the analysis of discourse. Discourse analysis vs conversation analysis. Language as a form of social practice (Critical discourse analysis).
Topic 4. Basic categories and notions of discourse analysis and their characteristics.
Proposition. Reference. Explication. Inference. Implication. Relevance. Presupposition and entailment.
Topic 5. Discourse and context.
Types of pragmatic context. Situational context. Actional context. Psychological context. Cognitive representation of context.
Topic 6. Formats of knowledge representation in discourse.
Concepts. Frames. Scripts. Situational models.
Topic 7. Cognitive structures interaction within discourse.
Discourse topic. Discourse and text correlation in terms of text concept.
Topic 8. Communicative strategies.
The notion of strategy. Cognitive strategies. Language strategies. Grammaatical strategies. Discourse strategies.
Topic 9. Coherence and cohesion as discourse categories.
Local coherence strategies. Topicality and strategies.
Topic 10. Macrostrategies.
Macrostructures and discourse understanding. Discourse, text and context in terms of macrostrategies application.
Topic 11. Schematic strategies.
Superstructures.
Topic 12. Production strategies.
Propositional, interactive, programmatic production strategies.
Topic 13. Knowledge as the category of discourse.
Knowledge system. Strategies for knowledge use in discourse. Knowledge use in metaphor comprehension.
Topic 14. Cognitive model.
A framework for a process model.

Assessment Elements

Team Project
Classroom work features individual and group work, valid contributions to problem solving activities and discussions, and for each student being part of the team project that includes classroom presentation of one of the seminar topics.
Individual Project
The individual project is supposed to be prepared in accordance with one of the chosen areas suggested (Individual project topics).
Self-Study
Self-study comprises home assignments based on the material of the required and optional literature recommended, i.e. individual project work (written paper and presentation), individual and team work in class (reports, presentations), classroom discussions, definition quiz.
Written Examination
The final written exam features a theoretical question from the list according to the syllabus. Экзамен проводится в письменной форме (опрос по материалам курса). Экзамен высылается на корпоративные почты студентов. К экзамену необходимо подключиться согласно расписанию ответов, высланному преподавателем на корпоративные почты студентов накануне экзамена. Компьютер студента должен удовлетворять требованиям: подключение к сети Интернет. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение связи менее минуты. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушением 10 минут и более. При долговременном нарушении связи студент не может продолжить участие в экзамене. Процедура пересдачи подразумевает использование усложненных заданий.

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (3 module)
0.25 * Individual Project + 0.1 * Self-Study + 0.25 * Team Project + 0.4 * Written Examination

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Tannen, Deborah, et al. The Handbook of Discourse Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1895501.
Waring, H. Z. (2018). Discourse Analysis : The Questions Discourse Analysts Ask and How They Answer Them. New York, NY: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1585455

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Baker, P., & Ellece, S. (2011). Key Terms in Discourse Analysis. New York, N.Y.: Continuum. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=350269

Course Syllabus