Analysing Language in Workplace, Media and Society
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| EDEN4019 | School of Education and English | 4 | 20 | Autumn China |
- Code
- EDEN4019
- School
- School of Education and English
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn China
Summary
This module is concerned with language use in real social and cultural contexts with a particular focus on introducing the various approaches to discourse analysis. The module explores how language varies according to different social and communicative purposes and how people use language to reveal and conceal social realities. Essential concepts and categories from various discourse analysis perspectives are introduced as analytical tools for exploring how users of a language explore and represent the world around them, interact with each other through the language, and organise what they say or write. Applications of such analysis to areas such as critical evaluation of literary and non-literary texts, language pedagogy, academic development, and workplace practices are consequently explored.
Please note: This module is assessed at the end of Autumn semester. First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.
Target Students
Students following the MAs in Applied Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching; Not available to students on other MA / MSc programmes
Classes
- One 1-hour-30-minute seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour-30-minute lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: 3500 words essay at end of semester
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with• a thorough grounding in the description and analysis of linguistic texts in context;• a wide-ranging knowledge of approaches to discourse analysis, and firm grasp of analytical concepts and categories;• the opportunity to engage in independent linguistic enquiries using language resources;• skills of practical investigation, and the presentation and interpretation of language analyses.Learning Outcomes
(a) Knowledge and understanding of
• critical and analytical method in relation to spoken and written discourse stored in electronic and non-electronic formats;
• applications of the analysis of naturally occurring text samples in different areas of applied linguistics;
• methodological issues in producing and interpreting sets of language data;
• understanding of the ideological assumptions and their implications in linguistic research;
• understanding of the relationship between academic, professional, public and user conceptions of language, as well as of the practical and implications of theoretical developments in linguistics and associated disciplines.
(b) Intellectual skills
• an ability to engage in close and logical analysis of texts and arguments;
• an ability to apply theoretical frameworks in practical analysis.
(c) Professional skills
• the ability to use language resources and evaluate the material thus collected;
• the ability to produce an assignment to a professional disciplinary standard.
(d) Transferable skills
• the use of computer-mediated research and expressive skills;
• the ability to word-process material and communicate effectively in writing.