013990 Discourse and Genre
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2021 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksRequisite(s): 013102 Introducing Knowledge about Language AND 013105 The Multilingual Learner AND 010070 TESOL Practicum AND 028253 TESOL: Methodology
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 013087 Discourse Analysis
Description
This subject focuses on two ways in which texts are organised: discourse – variously described as language in action or language in use or language beyond the level of sentences and grammar – and genre – understood as relatively stable and recognisable organisations of text. The subject looks at different ways of doing discourse analysis (from conversation analysis to multimodal analysis) and at different ways in which discourse and genre may be socially organised in institutional terms (education, health, law, religion) and in social terms (class, gender, race, ethnicity). A central focus is on the analysis of real texts (written, spoken, visual, media) and what this tells us about broader social relations and ideology in society. Students are encouraged to develop analysis of discourses and genres in their workplaces or other domains of social life and to apply these skills to pedagogical contexts.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Recognize language and discourse patterns within texts as sociocultural |
|---|---|
| b. | Appreciate the connections between language, power and ideology across a number of social and cultural contexts |
| c. | Analyse and interpret spoken, written and visual instances of discourse |
| d. | Analyse and interpret genre in social and institutional contexts |
| e. | Produce written accounts that integrate relevant literature, are coherent in structure and display clarity of expression |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject addresses the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
1. Professional Readiness
1.2 Graduates have the necessary skills and knowledge to teach in a range of contexts, both local and international.
2. Critical and Creative Inquiry
2.1 Graduates have the knowledge base on which to generate, synthesise and critique complex ideas.
6. Effective Communication
6.1. Graduates have strong communication and interpersonal skills to mediate complex knowledge and skills for a variety of audiences.
Teaching and learning strategies
In 2020, this subject will be in online mode only. Class delivery modes will vary according to topics, student preferences and materials, but will aim to include specific instruction, modelling of analytical processes, group discussion, and workshop tasks. There will be an emphasis on pre- and post-class reading with associated support activities. All students will have access to online technologies through which they will engage in a range of modes, including audio/visual and written, and a range of individual and collaborative tasks. Online resources will help students prepare for classes, activities and assignments, as well as consolidate knowledge gained through readings and tasks. Discussions and activities will draw on students’ use and knowledge of languages as a resource in the subject.
Content (topics)
Unit 1 - Understanding discourse and genre
Introduction to discourse analysis, and issues of language, power and ideology in critical and historical perspective
Introduction to both textual and social theories and perspectives of discourse and genre
Identification of a range of genres and introduction to methods of interpreting and analysing genres, including their textual features and social context of production
Unit 2 - Types of discourse(s), types of genre(s)
Identifying discourse and genre within/about social categories (such as class, race, gender and ethnicity)
Identifying discourse and genre within institutions (such as education, health, law, religion)
Unit 3 - Doing discourse analysis
Identifying and analysing a range of discourses, and associated genres, using a variety of approaches including conversation analysis, multimodal analysis, and critical discourse analysis
Developing reflective and critical language awareness through the use of discourse analysis
Investigating pedagogical techniques for analysis of discourse and genre in language learning settings
Guided practice in the construction of written academic English
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Project: understanding and interpreting discourse and genre
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Option A Analysis: 1250 words – excluding the selected written discourses and reference list Option B Analysis: 1250 words (approximately 400 words per analysis) – excluding the transcribed dialogues and reference list | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Project – doing discourse analysis
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2750 words | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Paltridge, B. (2012). Discourse analysis: An introduction (2nd edition). London: Bloomsbury.
This is an e-Book and is freely available from the UTS Library (you are not required to purchase a copy)
References
Compulsory and optional readings are available from UTS Library in downloadable, DRR e-reading format. To find the e-readings for Discourse and Genre, type the subject number 013990 into the Library catalogue search box.