LING 2036 - Introduction to Discourse Analysis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

It can be argued that who we are and what we are able to achieve socially is determined by the range of different forms of language which we have at our disposal. If we want to be convincing in a tutorial we have to be able to sound academic, and if we want to work as a lawyer we must first master the language of the law. This course explores the ways in which language varies according to subject area, social setting, communicative purpose and the social roles and identities of those involved. It examines the workings of various forms of speaking and writing - casual conversation, interviews and interrogations, public speaking, emailing and mobile phone texting and mass media articles, to cite just some examples. Students will study the nature of meaning, how we usually convey more than we actually say or write, the role of politeness in verbal communication, the necessarily cooperative nature of most forms of communication, and what makes texts cohesive and coherent. We are particularly interested in working with text, that is, larger units of meaning than a clause or sentence. Students will develop skills in analysing the properties of different texts, in characterizing the interpersonal stances adopted by speakers and writers, and in identifying and classifying the various genres or texts types which operate in particular social settings.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LING 2036
    Course Introduction to Discourse Analysis
    Coordinating Unit Linguistics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites 12 units of Level I Humanities/Social Sciences courses
    Course Description It can be argued that who we are and what we are able to achieve socially is determined by the range of different forms of language which we have at our disposal. If we want to be convincing in a tutorial we have to be able to sound academic, and if we want to work as a lawyer we must first master the language of the law. This course explores the ways in which language varies according to subject area, social setting, communicative purpose and the social roles and identities of those involved. It examines the workings of various forms of speaking and writing - casual conversation, interviews and interrogations, public speaking, emailing and mobile phone texting and mass media articles, to cite just some examples. Students will study the nature of meaning, how we usually convey more than we actually say or write, the role of politeness in verbal communication, the necessarily cooperative nature of most forms of communication, and what makes texts cohesive and coherent. We are particularly interested in working with text, that is, larger units of meaning than a clause or sentence. Students will develop skills in analysing the properties of different texts, in characterizing the interpersonal stances adopted by speakers and writers, and in identifying and classifying the various genres or texts types which operate in particular social settings.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr John Walsh

    Course Coordinator: Dr John Walsh
    Phone: 08 8313 5196 Email: john.walsh@adelaide.edu.au 
    Campus: North Terrace Room: Napier Building, room 918
    Communication: Please make enquiries and arrange appointments via email.


    Course Tutor: Dr Nayia Cominos
    Phone: 08 83131403 Email: nayia.cominos@adelaide.edu.au  
    Campus: North Terrace Room: Napier Building, room 908
    Consultations: Please make enquiries and arrange appointments via email.
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Introduce students to the different interpretations of discourse across the social sciences.
    2 Encourage awareness of the ways in which discourse practices vary across social, cultural and linguistic boundaries, and how this impacts within local and global contexts.
    3 Develop student ability to critically evaluate written materials in the field of discourse and discourse analysis.
    4 Engage students in integrating tools from linguistics and also social theory as a key method in discourse analysis.
    5 Develop student understanding of the different tools of analysis utilised specifically within Linguistics.
    6 Provide students with transferable skills that can be applied in other university courses and in professional and personal contexts beyond the university.
    7 Help students to use new knowledge to better prepare and deliver coherently and logically. argued written assignments.
    8 Support students to critically evaluate their own and others’ written texts.
    9 Model for students how to engage productively and respectfully with their peers.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3,4,5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2,3,4,5,8
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 6,7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4,9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6,7,8
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 2, 4
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 2,4,9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 5,6,7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Student Course Readers CAN NOW ONLY be purchased online from the new Online Shop. Login to Unified and simply click on the Online Shop icon in the left hand side of the Home page.

    Course Reader: LING 2036 Introduction to Discourse Analysis
    Recommended Resources

    The Barr Smith Library has a good collection of resources in the field of discourse studies, discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis and multimodal discourse analysis.

    MYUNI

    Additional course-related material is available through MyUni. The following documents will be available:

    • LING 2036 course profile
    • Power point lecture notes
    • Audio recordings of lectures
    • Additional seminar material
    • Further information about assessment tasks.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    The course is built around a series of lectures which introduce the students to the range of interpretations of discourse within the social sciences, but which give emphasis to those within the broad field of linguistics and specifically within SFL. The two hour lectures will provide a combination of input as well as small group activities. The lectures will be complemented by weekly one-hour seminars in which the students will have the opportunity to work in a more experiential way with the ideas, tools and resources introduced in the lectures. The hands-on practices within the seminars will prepare students for the assessment tasks of analysing samples of spoken and written discourse provided within the course.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 2-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    4 hours reading per week 48 hours per semester
    3 hours research and preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    3 hours assignment preparation each week 36 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week Lectures Assignment date
    Week 1 Introduction to discourse analysis
    Week 2 Approaches to discourse analysis with a focus on Linguistics
    Week 3 Genre
    Week 4 Genre/Register
    Week 5 Periodicity Assignment 1 Test:
    Week 5
    Week 6 Ideation
    Week 7 Appraisal part 1
    Week 8 Appraisal part 2
    Week 9 Conjunction Assignment 2 Test:
    Week 9
    Week 10 Critical Discourse Analysis
    Week 11 Positive Discourse Analysis
    Week 12 Multi-modality
    Week 13 Assignment 3:
    Group Presentations:
    Week 13
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting
    Test – discourse semantic resources Summative

    Week 5

    30%
    Test – discourse semantic resources Summative Week 9 30%
    Group presentation Summative Week 13 30%
    Attendance and participation Throughout the course  10%
    Note that attendance at lectures and seminars is compulsory and that 10% will be awarded for attendance and participation in lectures and seminars.
    Assessment Detail

    Assignment 1 is a test of the discourse tools which have been covered in the first weeks of the course. It asks for the analysis of a number of spoken and written texts using the tools for analysis presented in the lectures and seminars. Assignment 2 adds another set of analytic tools to be understood and controlled.

    Assignment 3 is a group task with a seminar presentation. It asks for a review of articles from the field of discourse studies or discourse analysis in a group of four. A number of readings will be made available online and these will be reviewed, according to the guidelines provided. Each group will prepare an oral presentation of 15 minutes, with 5 minutes to respond to questions at the end of the talk. Each group will prepare a power point presentation which is to be submitted as part of the assignment. This assignment is marked as a group assignment and each member of the group is expected to contribute to the presentation and the power point.

    Submission

    For further details log in MyUni.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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