ENGL 7344
Discourse Analysis
Dr. Lauren Zentz
2:30 Wednesday
This course will examine the broad field of discourse analysis: the study of language use in social
interactions. Readings and topics will be multidisciplinary, assembling approaches to language use from
various disciplines. We will explore spoken and written language, the methods required to investigate
them, and the theoretical foundations used to interpret them.
Close analysis of communicative interactions provides valuable insight into aspects of language use,
language learning, identity, power relations, and ideologies, and so the study of discourse analysis is
much needed in various contexts of personal/professional practice, and language and education policy
making. Students will leave the class with a broad set of tools for understanding and studying language
use in various social/political contexts.