MONS1000 Critical Discourse Studies (5 cr)
Description
Content
In this course students will examine current societal topics from the perspective of critical discourse studies, including the perspectives of sociolinguistics and ethnography. The course themes are connected to questions about discourse, power, and societal change. The course focuses on key approaches, concepts and methods in critical discourse studies and students will also practice important research skills: critical thinking and writing, scientific problem solving, and the ability to apply acquired knowledge as a multidisciplinary language expert.
Completion methods
Contact teaching (lectures, pair and group discussions), group work, learning assignments, project work.
Alternative study methods for APPLANG and LAGIC students: reading circle, presentations.
Assessment details
Learning assignments, project work, active participation in contact teaching (min. 80% attendance) and group work.
Assessment criteria for the reading circle: participation in class and final presentation.
More detailed assessment criteria will be provided as part of the instructions for the course.
Learning outcomes
- understands the role of discourse in societal questions
- knows central approaches, concepts and methods in critical discourse studies
- is able to apply critical discourse studies in discussions of societal questions
- has practiced research skills and developed her/his problem solving skills
Additional information
The contact teaching course is organised either in Finnish or English in each academic year - check the information in the teaching schedule.
Description of prerequisites
LAGIC students: LACS1011 Introduction to Language and Discourse; LACS1012 Globalization, Language and Society
Other students: MONA1000 Introduction to Discourse Studies (earlier code KLSA324)
Literature
- Heller, Monica, Pietikäinen Sari and Pujolar Joan (in print) Critical Language Research: How to Study Language Issues that Matter. Routledge.