B01: Critical Discourse Analysis

The course is for anyone interested in analysing how language is used (and abused) in different socio-political contexts. Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) is now a well-established, but heterogeneous approach to the analysis of text and talk in different socio-political spaces. CDS understands language as a form of social practice and that language use cannot be understood without looking at wider contexts, including power relations. Though CDS has a basis in sociolinguistics, it offers set of a theories and methodologies that is increasingly applied by researchers in different fields (e.g., Political Science, International Relations, Media & Communication, and Sociology).

During the course you will learn how (1) the fundamental concepts of CDS (2) a range approaches to analysing materials, that suit different projects, (3) how to interpret your findings, and (4) how to build a CDS-oriented research project.

This course offers a comprehensive, practical introduction to qualitative critical discourse analysis and invites you to consider how you could integrate it into your own research. 

The course is for anyone interested in analysing how language is used (and abused) in different socio-political contexts. Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) is now a well-established, but heterogeneous approach to the analysis of text and talk in different socio-political spaces. CDS understands language as a form of social practice and that language use cannot be understood without looking at wider contexts, including power relations. Though CDS has a basis in sociolinguistics, it offers set of a theories and methodologies that is increasingly applied by researchers in different fields (e.g., Political Science, International Relations, Media & Communication, and Sociology).

You will learn how (1) the fundamental concepts of CDS (2) a range approaches to analysing materials, that suit different projects, (3) how to interpret your findings, and (4) how to build a CDS-oriented research project.

One of the key practical outcomes of the course is an understanding of how to build a research project that focuses on your chosen topic and which integrates CDS as the key analytical approach.

The course will be both theoretical and ‘hands on’: Whilst you will be learning about the theoretical underpinnings of CDS (from within linguistics and beyond), you will also be analysing real texts and genres in order to put your new-found skills into practice and gain confidence in your own analytical abilities. The course starts with an introduction of key terms and concepts in CDS and considers what ‘Critical’ can mean. Students will then be introduced to different approaches to analysis so they can find one that fits their projects. We follow this by learning how different socio-political theories can be used alongside more linguistic-based text analyses in interdisciplinary projects. Throughout the course, participants will actively engage with the material and offer their own thoughts and feedback on the work of their peers.

Day-by-day plan of the course

Indicative readings

Audrey, A. (2021). Reflexive discourse analysis: A methodology for the practice of reflexivity. European Journal of International Relations,  27(1), pp. 150–174.

Bennett, S. (2022). Mythopoetic legitimation and the recontextualisation of Europe’s foundational myth. Journal of Language and Politics, 21(2),  pp. 370-389. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1075/jlp.21070.ben 

Flowerdew, J. and Richardson, J. D. (2018). Introduction. In: Flowerdew, J. and Richardson, J.E., eds. The Routledge Handbook of Critical Discourse Studies. New York: Routledge, pp.1-10.

Forchtner, B. (2011). Critique, the discourse–historical approach, and the Frankfurt School. Critical Discourse Studies, 8 (1), pp. 1–14. Available from: DOI:10.1080/17405904.2011.533564

Johnstone, B. (2017). Discourse Analysis. 3rd ed. Wiley-Blackwell.

Ledin P., Machin D. (2018).  Multi-modal critical discourse analysis In: Flowerdew, J. and Richardson, J.E., eds. The Routledge Handbook of Critical Discourse Studies. New York: Routledge, pp. 60-76.

Melo Resende de, V. (2021). Decolonizing critical discourse studies: for a Latin American Perspective. Critical Discourse Studies, 18(1), pp. 26–42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/17405904.2018.1490654

Reisigl, M. (2018). The Discourse-Historical Approach. In: Flowerdew, J. and Richardson, J.E., eds. The Routledge Handbook of Critical Discourse Studies. New York: Routledge, pp. 44-59.

Van Dijk, T. (2018). Socio-cognitive discourse studies analysis. In: Flowerdew, J. and Richardson, J.E., eds. The Routledge Handbook of Critical Discourse Studies. New York: Routledge, pp. 26-43.

Van Dijk ,T. (2015). Critical Discourse Analysis. In: Tannen, D., Hamilton, H.E. and Schiffrin, D. eds. The Handbook of Discourse Analysis, 2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 466-485.

Van Leeuewen, T., (2008). The Discursive Construction of Legitimation. In: Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Analysis. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 105-123.

Wodak R., Meyer M. (2015). Critical Discourse Analysis: History, Agenda, Theory and methodology. In: Wodak, R. and Meyer, M. eds. Methods of Critical Discourse Studies. 3rd ed. Sage, pp. 1-33.

This description is subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor

2 Credits

For completion of all work before and during the course, as outlined by the Instructor, and 90% participation and attendance of the course.

2 Additional Credits

Course specific extra assignments. These can include submitting assignments before the course, daily assignments, and/or a final assignment to be completed after the course as decided by the Instructor.  This description is subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor.