Overview
This course is designed to introduce you to discourse analysis starting from its philosophical underpinnings to discussing recent developments and debates. It will cover how to use discourse analysis as a qualitative method in the service of analysing qualitative data (discourse) and approaches to discuss discourse analysis as a paradigm. This also looks at the reasons for opting for discursive approaches while considering the assumptions they entail.
You will cover various approaches to discourse analysis as well as main principles and key literature, illustrate analytic tools through the use of examples, and engage in hands-on analysis. You will engage in evaluations of discourse-analytic approaches, and give you the opportunity to develop some initial practical skills in applying discourse analysis. You will develop a critical understanding of range of approaches and the confidence to select them appropriately. You will also gain a foundation to develop your skills independently in future.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Appreciate the issues related to using discourse analysis in research (C, K, P and T)
- Critically evaluate different discourse analytic approaches and their place in contemporary social research (C and K)
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of the application of these discourse analytic approaches (K, T and P)
- Develop research proposals that demonstrate appropriate use of discourse analytic approaches (K, T and P).
Attributes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| C | Cognitive/analytical |
| K | Subject knowledge |
| P | Professional/practical skills |
| T | Transferable skills |
Course content
- Discourse: what is it?
- Discourse and construction
- Discursive turn and its main principles
- Strands in discourse analysis
- Analytic processes and procedures.
Learning and teaching methods
- Lectures
- Practical sessions and workshops.
Course leader
Dr Maria Xenitidou
Research Fellow
Reading list
- Wooffitt, R. (2008) Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis. Researching Social Life, 3rd ed. SAGE Publishing.
- Xenitidou, M. and Gunnarsdóttir, K. (2019) The Power of Discourse: How agency is constructed and constituted in discourse of smart technologies, systems and associated developments. Discourse & Society. 30(3), pp.287-306.
- Xenitidou, M. and Greco-Morasso, S. (2014) Parental discourse and identity management in the talk of indigenous and migrant speakers in Greece and the UK. Discourse & Society. 25(1), pp.100-121.
Class size
Maximum of 25 people. Please note, 10 participants will be students from our MSc Social Research Methods course.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
Fees and funding
Fees are to be confirmed
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood the University's prospective student privacy notice.
Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
- Email: daycourses@surrey.ac.uk
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH