LSMADAR: Approaches to Discourse Analysis

Module code: LSMADAR

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 30

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Rodney Jones , email: r.h.jones@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Sylvia Jaworska, email: s.jaworska@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to introduce students to the key methodological frameworks for the description and analysis of discourse, including spoken and written language in use. It considers a range of analytical approaches in the description of authentic language, relating features of text to the context in which the language is produced and understood. These include: pragmatics, interactional sociolinguistics, conversation analysis, genre and narrative analysis, critical discourse analysis (CDA) and multimodality. Students will apply the knowledge of the approaches to study examples of spoken and written discourse in a variety of social, cultural, political and educational contexts. They will also gain practical insights into how the theoretical and methodological tools of discourse analysis can be applied in educational and other professional contexts.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Develop knowledge of key approaches to the description and analysis of discourse, and the terms and concepts used in each;
2. Use discourse-analytical conventions to transcribe spoken interactions 
3. Identify an appropriate approach to a specific type of discourse or goals of discourse analysis
4. Apply a relevant approach to study a sample of chosen discourse

Module content

The module has 10 core topics:  

1. Principles and aims of discourse analysis
2. Principles and conventions of transcribing spoken language
3. Pragmatics
4. Conversation Analysis
5. Interactional Sociolinguistics
6. Cohesion and Coherence
7. Genre Analysis
8. Narratives and Story Telling
9. Critical Discourse Analysis
10. Multimodal Discourse Analysis  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered through interactive lectures in which content delivery is interspersed with group activities on set tasks and discussions.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs