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.

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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
Assessment	2 x 1000 word assignments, 1 x 2500 word research project report

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 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.

最新糖心Vlog 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 & 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

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

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

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 .

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