THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Moray House School of Education : Education

Postgraduate Course: Text, Discourse and Language Teaching (EDUA11233)

Course Outline
SchoolMoray House School of Education CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course will explore the concepts of text and discourse and how different approaches to analysing texts and discourse can be used in a second language teaching and learning context. The course will focus on different approaches to analysing language such as Conversation Analysis, Corpus Linguistics, Critical Discourse Analysis, Genre Analysis, Register and Style, Speech Act Theory, Cooperative Principle, and the Politeness Principle. The lectures will provide current and up-to-date discussions on research issues pertaining to the approaches and their applications and implications for teaching. The workshops will provide a forum for discussion and will centre around key points from the lecture. They will also involve students working on pedagogic tasks related to the relevant approaches and how they may be used in /adapted for specific teaching and learning contexts. These discussions involve a strong focus on inter/cross cultural communication.
Course description Week 1: Introduction to Text, Discourse and Language Teaching
Week 2: Conversation Analysis
Week 3: Corpus Linguistics
Week 4: Critical Discourse Analysis
Week 5: Genre Analysis
Week 6: Speech Act Theory
Week 7: Cooperative Principle
Week 8: Politeness Principle
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Course Start Date 15/01/2018
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 16, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Formative Assessment Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Revision Session Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 162 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Assessment (4000 words, 100%):

- You take one of the approaches to spoken (and written) language analysis covered in the course (and which was not covered in the presentation that you delivered): Genre Analysis, Corpus Linguistics, Speech Act Theory, Cooperative Principle, Politeness Principle, Conversation Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis;

- You describe it supporting the discussion by reference to the literature, taking a critical position, as well as evaluating relevant current research issues, and focusing on dimensions of intercultural communication, where relevant (1500 words approx.);

- You take a text and analyse it using the approach (1500 words approx.) ¿ detailed analysis which is discussed and explained;

- You discuss the applications to teaching e.g. issues involved in applying the approach in your own context, cultural or intercultural issues, suitability to a particular group of learners, language policy etc; (1000 words approx.)

Please note: specific and explicit detailed reference must also be made to the class presentation which covered the approach you are exploring in your assignment.
Feedback Formative feedback provided 3-5 working days after individuals' in-class presentations.

Summative feedback on assignment provided 15 working days after the submission of the assignment.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Critically analyse the merits/limitations of using different approaches: Genre Analysis, Corpus Linguistics, Conversation Analysis, Genre Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Speech Act Theory, Cooperative Principle, Politeness Principle, with a particular focus on intercultural communication (where possible)
  2. Evaluate current research issues in spoken/written language analysis and language teaching methodology
  3. Apply the approaches, and at least two in detail, to instances of spoken/written language
  4. Evaluate the extent to which the findings from these approaches to language analysis can be applied to speaking/writing classes in language teaching courses
Reading List
Useful reading:

Blommaert, J. 2005. Discourse: A critical introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Bouvier, G. 2015. ¿What is a discourse approach to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media: connecting with other academic fields?¿. Journal of Multicultural Discourses 10(2): 149-162.

Celce-Murcia, M. and E. Olshtain, 2000. Discourse and context in language teaching. A guide for language teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Fairclough, N. 2003. Analysing Discourse: Textual Analysis for Social Research. London: Routledge.

Flowerdew, J. 2013. Discourse in English Language Education. London: Routledge.

Gee, J. P. 2010. An Introduction to Discourse Analysis. London: Routledge.

McCarthy, M. and R. Carter. 2014. Language in Discourse. Perspectives for Language Teaching. London: Routledge.

Mills, S. 1997. Discourse. London: Routledge.

Paltridge, B. 2006. Discourse Analysis: An Introduction. London: Continuum.

Van Dijk, T. 1997. Discourse as social interaction. London: Sage.

Wodak R. and Meyer M. (eds) 2015. Methods of Critical Discourse Studies, 3rd edn., Sage: London.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information One three-hour interactive workshop with staff and student presentations and discussion
KeywordsText,Discourse,Spoken and Written,Approaches to Discourse Analysis,Language Teaching
Contacts
Course organiserDr Brona Murphy
Tel: (0131 6)51 6408
Email: brona.murphy@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Moira Ross
Tel: (0131 6)51 6206
Email: Moira.G.Ross@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information