Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title ANALYSING DISCOURSE
Code ENGL307
Coordinator Dr KN Simms
English
Knsimms@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 30

Aims

The aim of this module is to equip students with a knowledge of how discourse works at linguistic, metalinguistic, and paralinguistic levels. Students will be exposed to a wide range of discourse types and will learn methodologies (and their theoretical bases) available for analysing them, especially with a view to exposing meanings which would otherwise remain hidden.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will have the ability to understand the theoretical principles behind discourse analysis.

(LO2) Students will have the ability to identify a broad range of discourse types.

(LO3) Students will have the ability to collect discourse data and analyse them according to an appropriate methodology.

(LO4) Students will have the ability to understand the implicit or concealed ideology that motivates discourse.

(S1) Discourse analysis

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation


Syllabus

 

The module will begin with a theoretical overview that will introduce the principles behind discourse analysis, and the methodologies available for analysing discourse. A number of different discourse types will then be examined in turn. They will include:

• The discourse of news reporting
• The discourse of advertising
• Popular writing (magazine features, etc.)
• Institutional discourse
• Political discourse
• Legal discourse
• Academic discourse

Each topic will be introduced by the tutor in Workshops. A follow-up Tutorial will then analyse samples of discourse supplied by both the tutor and the students themselves.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching method 1: Two one-hour Workshops per week.
Description: Workshops will introduce the generic methodologies of discourse analysis, and/or the specific techniques of discourse analysis pertaining to various discourse types.
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching method 2: One one-hour Tutorial per week.
Description: In Tutorials, students will engage in practical discourse analysis, applied to samples of discourse supplied by both the tutor and the students themselves.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Scheduled directed student hours: 36
Unscheduled directed student hours: 264

Notes:
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: Sourcing and selecting material for analysis; seminar preparation; presentation and project research and writing.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours     12

    24

36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 264
TOTAL HOURS 300

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Presentation There is a resit opportunity. Mark of 0 awarded for non-attendance. This is not an anonymous assessment.  5 minutes    20       
Project There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment.  3800-4200 words    80       
Project draft - 3,000 words  2850-3150 words         

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.