Analyzing public discourse – Current topics in world news 3500-JIS-2-ADP-SWIAT

The course aims to present practical applications of research methods and tools of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in the field of public discourse analysis, in particular media texts on current events in the public sphere in the world. The classes focus on the analysis of descriptions and evaluations of selected events in various media (mainly in the English-speaking area), taking into account the social, political and historical context.
At the same time, research practice will allow students to develop their theoretical knowledge in the field of (critical) analysis of public discourse, as well as to develop their skills of critical reception of media texts as conscious media recipients.
The subject of analyses are texts representing various media genres, including press articles, interviews, reports, debates, TV news, and also representing various media, including press, television, internet media and new media (also social media).

Students will develop practical knowledge in the field of methodology (including making research assumptions, selecting research materials, implementing qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis) and will learn how to use modern tools of discourse analysis.
The course focuses on analyzing materials concerning current world events and additional materials to highlight the broader context and to enable a deeper critical analysis of the topic.

Student workload:
Classes: 30 hours
Reading literature: 10 hours
Preparing for classes: 10 hours
Preparing presentations (in pairs): 20 hours
Written homework (individual): 20 hours
Total: 90 hours

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

Knowledge of English at B2 level or higher. The student should have basic theoretical knowledge in the field of (Critical) Discourse Analysis and be familiar with its basic research methods and tools, in particular those presented in the relevant course at the 1st year of Language and Society (e.g. „Modele analizy dyskursu”, „Nowe media a komunikacja”, „Analiza lingwistyczna i retoryczna”, „Jakościowa i ilościowa analiza treści”)

Course coordinators

Tomasz Konik

Learning outcomes

The graduate
K_W02 Has an in-depth knowledge of linguistic aspects of public, intercultural and specialist communication.
K_W09 Has knowledge of contemporary intellectual and cultural life in Poland and in selected regions of the world.
K_U08 Can critically analyze the language of public debates (e.g. political and journalistic) in terms of persuasive and manipulative strategies used in them.
K_U09 Can formulate and present – in various forms and through various media – critical opinions about social phenomena and linguistic mechanisms of interpersonal communication occurring in various cultural and professional contexts.
K_U10 Using their knowledge of sociological discourse analysis and of research on social communication, can critically select data and methods of analysis, and formulate conclusions.
K_U20 Can prepare a presentation of a selected topic or research in Polish and in a foreign language at B2 + level, also using new technologies.
K_K03 Is open to contacts with people from different cultures, shows empathy and understanding for otherness.
K_K08 Is ready to individually and critically supplement his/her knowledge and skills, combining a sociological and linguistic perspective.
K_K09 Is ready to search for new methods and sources to supplement his/her knowledge and develop professional skills.

Assessment criteria

Methods:
active class attendance, participation in class discussions and performing in-class tasks, reading the recommended literature, preparing and handing in of written assignments.
Criteria:
General principles for unexcused absences are applicable.
The final grade (scale: 2 – 5!) is the sum of the following components:
participation in discussions and in-class tasks: 40%
individual assignments (prepared at home and/or in class): 60%

Bibliography

Bednarek, Monika i Helen Caple (2012) News discourse: Chapter 3: News values (39-83), 120-124; Chapter 9: Killing Osama: a case study of online news (197-218), London/New York: Continuum.
Bell, A. (1991) The Language of News Media, Oxford: Blackwell.
Hart, Christopher (2014) Discourse, grammar and ideology: Chapter 3: Visuation (71-103), New York/London: Bloomsbury.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3500-JIS-2-ADP-SWIAT in USOSweb