Discourse Analysis
Course code: 9946268
2 weekly hours, lecture and tutorial
Semester Bet, Mondays, 1200 - 1330
Dr. Yael Zupnik
Description
We will begin the course with a review of some of the major schools of discourse analysis, such
as speech act theory and interactional sociolinguistics. We will then analyse particular topics of
discourse, such as the formation of topics, the ways in which cohesion and coherence are created,
and how the mind influences discourse. We will conclude by applying discourse analysis to the
field of education and the classroom setting: what discourse structures are common in the
classroom and how does this knowledge help teachers improve learning? Throughout the course,
students will be exposed to authentic oral discourse and will also undertake a project using
authentic discourse.
Rationale and Goals
1. To understand the assumptions, theories, and methods in the various approaches to
discourse analysis
2. To analyze the various components of discourse to learn how coherence is created in
discourse structures.
3. To understand the implications of discourse analysis for the classroom language learning
setting.
Course Structure
1. Approaches To Discourse Analysis
a. Schema theory: how the mind influences and is influenced by discourse
b. Cohesion and coherence: the glue of language
2. How discourse does things with words
c. Speech acts
d. Speech events
3. Discourse and gender
e. Power and discourse and gender
f. Difference and discourse and gender
Teaching/learning methods
Class lectures, student participation
3 - 4 assignments
Requirements and Student Evaluation
Assignments:
30%
In –Class presentation
20%
Final Project:
50%
Bibliography (main sources)
Cameron, Deborah. 2001. Working with spoken discourse. London: Sage.
Grice, H. P. 1975. Logic and conversation. In P. Cole and J. Morgan (eds.)
Syntax and Semantics. Vol. 3, New York: Academic Press.
Hatch Evelyn. 1992. Discourse and language education. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Kendall, S. and D. Tannen (2001) Discourse and gender. In D. Schiffrin, D. Tannen and H.
Hamilton (eds.) The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.
Martin, J. 2001. Cohesion and texture. In D. Schiffrin, D. Tannen and H. Hamilton (eds.)
The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.
McCarthy, Michael and Carter, Ronald. 1993. Language as discourse: perspectives for language
teaching. London: Routledge
Sperber, D. and D. Wilson. 1998. Précis of Relevance: Communication and Cognition.
In A. Kasher (ed.) Pragmatics: Critical Concepts. Vol. 5. London: Routledge.
van Dijk, T. (2001) Critical Discourse Analysis. In D. Schiffrin, D. Tannen and H. Hamilton
(eds.) The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.
van Dijk, T. (1999 [1992]) Discourse and the denial of racism. In A. Jaworski and N. Coupland
(eds.) The Discourse Reader. London: Routledge.