Discourse Analysis and PragmaticsLaajuus (3 cr)

Objective

Learning outcomes: On completion of the module, students will be able to: - analyse relevant linguistic data using a range of pragmatic frameworks. - critically compare and evaluate different pragmatic theories in relation to this data. - assess the insights that pragmatic theory can offer into a range of linguistic issues concerning the nature, acquisition and use of language. - Understand the theoretical principles behind discourse analysis - to develop the students’ transferable skills by encouraging them to examine historical and contemporary texts in an informed and critical manner - compile and analyse ''real'' linguistic data (corpus and questionnaire survey) The course develops the following work life skills: - Analytical skills, meaning making, argumentation skills, managing large entities, critical thinking, time management and prioritization skills, digital competences Generic competences: digitalization, ethics, internationality, critical thinking. interaction and communication

Content

- The module aims to enable students to understand and apply a range of pragmatic theories. - Specifically, it clarifies - as far as possible - the distinction between semantics and pragmatics in accounting for communicated meaning, and the range of ways in which pragmatic meaning has been explained. - It encourages students to consider the relative merits of different pragmatics theories as analytical approaches to meaning in context. - It introduces and discusses the implications of pragmatics for our understanding of the nature and use of language in a range of different ''real world'' situations. - 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.

Materials

Archer, D; Aijmer, K and Wichmann, A.2012 Pragmatics. An Advanced Resource Book for Students. London: Routledge Cutting, J. 2015. Pragmatics. A Resource Book for Students. London: Routledge Pace-Sigge, M. 2013. Lexical Priming in Spoken English. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan Partington, A., Duguid, A and Taylor, C . 2013. Patterns and Meaning in Discourse. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Partington, A. and Taylor, C . 2018. The Language of Persuasion in Politics. London: Routledge Schulze, R and Pishwa, H. 2015. The Exercise of Power in Communication. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan Weiss, G. (Ed), Wodak, R. (Ed) .2003. Critical Discourse Analysis. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan

Further information

Teachers: Michael Pace-Sigge Key words: Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Political Discourse, Literary Discourse Campus: Joensuu Further information: Language of tuition: English. Group Size- to 20

Execution methods

Lectures, exercise classes using computer-assisted exercises

Accomplishment methods

Modes of study: 20 hours of lectures and seminars and 61 hours of independent work. 80% compulsory attendance. Evaluation criteria: Assessed Coursework