Course Syllabus: LG311: Discourse Analysis (1/2013)
Instructor: Dr. Phalangchok Wanphet (BEd, MA, MA, PhD)
Date and Time: Mon, 9.30-12.30
Room: SCC4006
Contact info: phalangchok@gmail.com (preferred)
Tel. 086-360-9367
Course Description
Formal linguists study language in isolation, e.g., sounds (phonetics and phonology), parts of words (morphology), meaning
(semantics), and a sentence structure (syntax), while discourse researchers analyze language above the sentence level. That is,
they look at larger, yet interconnected, units of language as they flow together. Discourse can also be defined as any manifestation
of language in context as it is believed that language users rely largely on context to produce and interpret a message; that is, they
language in context. This course explores language, both speech and text, and context in which it is used, and how contexts and
functions of use influence linguistic forms.
Required Textbook
There is no particular textbook required for this course. All readings will be sent to you as an email attachment weeks before the
day on which the readings are discussed in class. Make sure you give me your regularly-used email address after the first class.
Regularly check your email, carefully print out the attached files, and critically read them before coming to class.
Course Format
Course format includes class discussions, lectures, and text readings. Everyone is expected to participate in class and to prepare by
reading the assigned readings prior to the class meeting. The course is conducted entirely in English, while some complex concepts
MAY be presented and discussed in Thai.
Medium of Instruction*
As mentioned above, the course is conducted entirely in English; Thai can be used under some circumstances. The table below
presents how English and/or Thai will be used in this course.
Activities
Language
Lecture
English
Class discussion
English (hopefully!) and Thai (really? Why not?)
Readings
English
Data collected for your projects
English or Thai (your choice)
Paper and presentation
English or Thai (your choice)
*All your work will not be graded based on the grammaticality as long as you get the meaning across.
Want an A from this course?!!!!! To get an A from this class, you are expected to…
1.
attend all classes and to arrive on time. Two incidences of lateness equate one absence.
2.
have read all assigned readings before class. Don’t come to class unprepared. Print out the readings attached to the email and
read them multiple times. You will be learning a new field of study in this class; some of the materials and concepts may seem
fairly complex, and
3.
be respectful of other students and the instructor. In particular, students will not talk while the instructor or another student
is talking. Use of cellphone during the lecture and class discussion is strictly not allowed.
4.
If you are found guilty of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty on an assignment or an exam, you will receive an F
in this course. You are suggested, before submitting any assignment, to check plagiarism on dustball.com. Never copy work of
others!
Email Policy
You are welcome to submit questions and comments via e-mail, but please keep the following in mind.
1.
I cannot always respond to messages late in the evening or on weekends. If you send a message late on Friday or during the
weekend, I might not reply until the following week. So give me a few days before sending another email.
2.
I can only respond to questions that can be answered in a sentence or two. Questions requiring longer replies should be asked
in class or in our course facebook. Ask your classmates first before contacting me.
3.
Please proofread your e-mail message to make sure that your question is clear. In addition, I would appreciate questions that
are expressed in an appropriately polite manner. No discussion about grades via email please!
4.
Make sure the Subject line contains the name of the course, your name, and the nature f the inquiry (e.g., “Ling 411, Steve
Harris, assignment#2”). Anonymous messages will not be answered.
5.
Because of the large number of e-mail messages that I receive daily, it may be several days before I am able to get back to you.
It is often easier and faster to ask a question in class or on facebook.
Grading and Evaluation**
Grading will be based on short assignments, a final project, exam, and “Quickwrite”***.
Assignments
Due
Points
1. Quickwrite (individual; 3%x5 pieces)
-
15
2. Assignments (individual; 15%x2 pieces)
Weeks 6 and 11
30
3. Project proposal (group of three)
Week 12
4. Project presentation and discussion (group of three)
Weeks 15-16
15
5. Project report (group of three)
Week 16
15
6. Attendance
-
7. Exam
TBA
Total
5
5
15
100
** It is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
***Before we begin a class on some day, we will spend 10-12 minutes on a “Quickwrite” activity in which you are allowed to write
comments on one of that week’s readings (what you learn from one of the readings, about what you agree or disagree with the
author(s), how you would apply what you read in your everyday life and future work, etc.). I’m not asking you to simply memorize
and summarize the readings, but, more importantly, apply what you read.
Weekly Schedule****
Topics and Readings to discuss
Assignment Due
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: Discourse Data, Method, and Transcription
Intro to 1st Assignment
Week 3: Genres and Registers
(Plan: record)
Week 4: Conversational Organization
(Plan: transcribe)
Week 5: Conversation: Coordination between Speakers
(Plan: analyze)
Week 6: Information flow in conversation
Due: 1st Assignment
Week 7: Discourse Topic, Sentence Topic, and Information Structure
Intro to 2nd Assignment
Week 8: Cohesion and Coherence
(Plan: select)
Week 9: Ellipsis
(Plan: analyze)
Week 10: Discourse Structure
(Plan: analyze)/Intro to Project
Week 11: Discourse Markers
Due: 2nd Assignment
Week 12: Discourse and Grammar
Due: Project Proposal
Week 13: Discourse and Cognition
Week 14: Critical DA
Week 15: Institutional Discourse (optional)
Due: Project Presentation
Week 16: Electronic Discourse (optional)
Due: Project Presentation/Report
**** It is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.