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Discourse Analysis: texts, contexts & meanings - 40N0117

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Lalita Murty
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module is for students at the Norwegian Study Centre Only.

What role does the discourse of newspapers play in shaping the views of their readers about immigrants? How do people construct their identities on social media platforms? What functions do adverbs such as ‘obviously’ ‘clearly’, ‘apparently’ or adjectives such as ‘brilliant’, ‘amazing’, ‘awesome’ serve in different texts? These are some of the questions that discourse analysts aim to answer.

In this module we will use frameworks, such as Systemic Functional Linguistics (as applied to discourse), Conversational Analysis, to understand the relationship between language above the level of sentences and clauses, i.e. discourse, meaning and the social contexts in which these texts exist. We will examine the language used in texts from different genres, written and spoken, such as newspapers, advertisements, political, medical and business discourses, academic writing, conversations, online communication to uncover the functions and meanings contained within them to become aware of the range of features that operate above the level of sentences and clauses.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims to introduce you to the different functions and meanings that are conveyed in the language used in a variety of written and spoken texts. It will introduce you to frameworks such as Systemic Functional Linguistics (Halliday, 1983, 1994, Martin and Rose, 2003) and to using these to analyse the discourse of a variety of genres. We will use this analyses to understand the practical communication problems that can occur in different settings and contexts.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will

  • Develop an understanding of the relationship between discourse and social and cultural contexts
  • Gain an understanding of analytical frameworks like Systemic Functional Grammar, Conversational Analysis
  • Use the above approaches and their tools to analyse spoken and written texts
  • Carry out an analysis of a piece of written or spoken text from any genre
  • Develop ability to independent study skills
  • Develop academic writing skills

Module content

This module covers

  • An introduction to the key concepts in discourse analysis. You will be introduced to the theoretical frameworks of Systemic Functional approaches and Conversational Analysis
  • You will get practical experience in analyzing written and spoken discourse from different genres.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Formative: during the teaching period, you will write a draft version fo your essy upon which you will recieve written comments within 2 weeks of submission. You will also have a one-to-one turorial session with your tutor to discuss the feedback on the draft. The purposeof the feedback is to inform your future work; it is provided in a pedagogical spirit which the NSC offers in helping you to learn from the feedback you recieve.

You will be given written feedback on the summative assessments within 20 working days of submission.

Indicative reading

Some key texts-

Bloor. T. and M. Bloor (2013) The functional analysis of English. A Hallidayan approach. London: Routledge.

Eggins, S. and D. Slade (1997) Analysing casual conversation. London: Equinox.

Martin, J.R. and D. Rose (2003) Working with discourse. Meaning beyond the clause. London: Continuum

Paltridge, B. (2012) Discourse Analysis. An introduction. London: Bloomsbury

Thompson, G. (2013) Introducing functional grammar. London: Routledge.

Wooffitt, R. (2005) Conversational analysis and discourse analysis. London: Sage Publications.

Zhang Waring, H (2017) Discourse analysis: the questions discourse analysts ask and how they answer them. London: Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.