Department of English FMLC/UPMET
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Second Semester 2014/2014 Session
BBI 3303 (Language and Power)
Course Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faiz Sathi Abdullah
MINI-PROJECT (PAPER - 20% OF Course Marks)
A. Project brief: Based on your reading (and your experience), identify a social problem or
issue that concerns misuse/abuse of power and the language that goes with it (see suggestions
below). Then do the following to complete the mini-project:
1. Define the problem by writing-up a brief description of the background and the nature of
the social problem;
2. Select a small sample (about 10) of printed texts (e.g. from a newspaper, magazine or web
page) that illustrate the problem in its social context of practice for a critical analysis: Who
are the social actors? What are they talking about? Who are they talking about? What bits
of language are they using? What power do they have? Why is it a problem? etc.
3. Write a paper on the problem and related issues using the following format:
1.0
2.0
Introduction
1.1
The problem
1.2
Background to the problem
1.3
Purpose of the project
Brief review of the related literature based on topic (mass media, sexism, racism,
etc. See suggested topics below)
3.0
2.1
...
2.2
...
Materials and method
3.1
Text selection, source, and how many texts
3.2
What questions were asked about the problem and the language used – See
(2) above)
4.0
Results and discussion
4.1
Answers to questions
4.2
Discussion about the problem as indicated by the text analysis + your own
views)
5.0
Conclusion
5.1
Summary of project
FBMK/JBI/Sem1 2012/13/BBI5242/CDA Mini-Project
5.2
Major conclusions you draw about the outcomes of analysis+ discussion
5.3
Suggestions for further research (if any)
References
Appendix (copies of texts used in analysis labelled Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3, )
B. Suggested Topics/Social Issues
1. Mass Media – Media bias or unfairness to maintain unequal power relations; setting
agenda (e.g. what to think rather than how to think) for the public by powerful people who
control the media
2. Sexism and sexist language; Sexuality – exploitation in the media; Sexual harassment;
Sexual abuse
3. Racism and racist language – Racial profiling; Chauvinism; Nationalism; Construction of
social identities based on race or racial supremacy or backwardness because of racial or
ethnic characteristics
4. Hegemony and dominance – Power politics; Power play; talking down or patronizing
others from a position of power/arrogance/dominance
5. Legitimation and legitimacy – use of legitimate language to maintain the status quo (of
unequal relations) or making something sound legal or legitimate when it is really not;
construction of subject positions and identities e.g. creating a positive, likeable identity for
a politician so that people will vote for him/her
6. Strategies of concealment (e.g. “cover up” of social issues and problems in public
discourse); hiding the truth about something; misleading the public or providing false
information
7. Promotional discourses e.g. advertising practice; use and misuse of power to persuade
consumers to buy products and services
OR any other topic of academic/professional interest (E-mail me if you have questions
about your suggested topic at faiz@upm.edu.my or drmfaiz@gmail.com stating the course
code/name in the subject line)
C. Procedure and Evaluation
1. Deadline for submission: The written paper will be submitted at least one week from the
date of the final examination of the BBI3303 course.
2. Marks allocated for: 1) Content & Organisation (10 marks), 2) Language (5 marks), and
3) Format and Presentation (5 marks).
3. Expected length of paper: 8 to 15 A4 pages of 1.5 line-spaced main text (12-point Arial or
Times New Roman font type).
4. Any evidence of plagiarism will be adversely reflected in the evaluation of student
performance. Hence, students are advised to document all their resources, preferably using
the APA style (author-date). See e.g. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/ (10
November 2012)
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FBMK/JBI/Sem1 2012/13/BBI5242/CDA Mini-Project
MFSA/04/14
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