013990 Discourse and Genre
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 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 (such as critical discourse analysis, conversation analysis, and multimodal discourse 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, disability). 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. | Recognise 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 |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- Graduates are able to engage, critique and apply a broad range of complex ideas relevant to TESOL, literacy and/or numeracy practice. (2.1)
- Graduates have strong communication skills for relevant academic and professional contexts. (6.1)
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
The teaching and learning in this subject will include asynchronous and synchronous activities. Students will engage with learning materials such as lectures, readings, and other activities in their own time, before attending the weekly tutorials. The tutorials will involve applying ideas and methods of analysing discourse and genre, so it will be essential for students to complete the asynchronous activities prior to class. All students will have access to online technologies through which they will engage in a range of modes, including audio/visual and written. 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, ethnicity, gender and disability)
Identifying discourse and genre within institutions (such as education, health, law, and 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
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Discourse analysis comparing two discourses
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1250 words – excluding the selected written discourses / transcripts and reference list | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Discourse analysis using a specific approach
| 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 ed.). London: Bloomsbury.
This is an e-Book and is freely available from the UTS Library
References
Check the Canvas site and the Reading List for subject readings. 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.