Multimodal Discourse Analysis 3201-LST-MDA
Modern communication is largely multimodal. The aim of the course is to present selected methods
and tools for analyzing such communication, and then apply them to different genres and contexts.
The course begins with a lecture introducing basic terms in multimodal discourse analysis, and discussing the origins of this approach. This is followed by a presentation on multimodal message composition and information structure, in various semiotic systems, on the example of contemporary advertisements (printed, outdoor, television ones). Related to advertising is the next topic, the relationship between multimodality and local identity, analyzed in promotional logos of selected regions and cities. Another topic of the course concerns the multimodality of social media,
particularly in the construction of relations: medium-user (interface semiotics), user-user, and user- message. The next area of study is multimodality of press discourse, in particular verbal and visual means of constructing the media value (‘news values’, Bednarek and Caple 2012). A separate class will focus on the photo as a semiotic system, in relation to press photos on the one hand, and family photos on the other. Another class takes the form of field research: its subject is the relationship between the medium and the content it carries, on the example of messages in public space (University of Warsaw buildings and neighbouring streets). This will be followed with the study of the relationship of a part to the whole in multimodal discourse, the material being posters of events or film trailers.
The next two topics fall under the agenda of Critical Discourse Analysis; they deal with (i) communicating values in political discourse, on the example of election campaign materials and (ii) non/stereotypical representations of individuals, groups and social phenomena in advertising and/or
educational discourse.
A separate class will focus on linguistic and visual intertextuality, using Internet memes as an example. The last two classes deal with the topics at the intersection of multimodal discourse analysis and two key areas of the Institute of Applied Linguistics’ curriculum: translation studies (here: resemiotization as a type of translation of content from one semiotic system to another) and the development of linguistic competence (here: multimodal competence and critical multimodal competence).
The range of topics addressed during the course is open; participants are encouraged to prepare (alone or in pairs, with the support of the teacher) presentations on recent phenomena in multimodal discourse which interest them.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Course dedicated to a programme
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands:
-in depth, the complex structure of language as a system
-in-depth, biological, cultural and communicative-social aspects of language use
-in-depth, specialized terminology in the fields of theoretical linguistics, corpus linguistics, neuroscience
-in-depth, fundamental problems of language use as an interlingual and intercultural phenomenon
-in-depth, the main directions of development and contemporary research trends in linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) and knows where the most important linguistic research centers in Europe and the world are located
-in-depth, research methods used in: psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, corpus linguistics, digital linguistics and text linguistics, as well as statistical models
-in-depth, the role of language in communication between people and cultures, and linguistic phenomena in a broader cognitive, communicative and social context
-the work environment as well as economic and legal conditions of work in the profession of a linguist, researcher, software tester, copy editor and copywriter
-the principles of creating various forms of entrepreneurship and the functioning of a linguist within the framework of various forms of entrepreneurship (freelance, translation bureaus, editorial team, research group, educational material preparation company, language technology development company, etc.) on the domestic and international markets
Skills: the graduate is able to:
-use in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge to carry out research work and solve complex problems in linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) using appropriate methodology
-use advanced research tools of linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus-based) and select research methods appropriately to the problems undertaken
-use in-depth knowledge of linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus-based, social/text linguistics) through the selection and appropriate application of modern information and communication technology (including statistical, corpus, eye-tracking and EEG analysis software) when working with research data
-independently acquire knowledge in the field of linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) and evaluate the usefulness of the learned methods, practices and procedures in their own professional activity
-independently plan and implement their own education and lifelong learning thanks to the knowledge of various centers related to linguistics (theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social) and thanks to the knowledge of sources that can be used to improve their competence in linguistics
Social competences: the graduate is ready to:
-adequately identify and resolve problems of interlingual, intercultural and social communication
-initiate and carry out linguistic research, in particular to improve accessibility in the dimensions of language, information and communication
-perform the profession of a language, cultural, educational mediator in accordance with the principles of professional ethics
-uphold the ethos of the linguist profession and observe and develop the principles of professional ethics
-perform the professional role of a linguist responsibly and with an entrepreneurial spirit, taking into account changing social and market needs
Assessment criteria
active participation in classes (25% of the grade)
homework (uploading examples on a shared drive and presenting them in class), two written papers
(75% of the grade)
Classes are compulsory. Two unexcused absences are allowed. If the student has more than two
unexcused absences, s/he should ask the lecturer about additional work to obtain credit, related to the
material from the classes when the student was absent, and then obtain such credit before the end of
the semester. If a student is absent at more than 50% of classes, he/she does not get credit for this
course.
Final grade:
99% -100 - 5!
98% - 93% - 5
92% - 85% - 4.5
84% - 77% - 4
76% - 69% - 3.5
68% - 60% - 3
less than 60% - 2
Practical placement
not applicable
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: