syl

5/21/2018 syl

1/4

Oakland University

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Rhetoric, Communication and Journalism

COM 314: Discourse and Content Analysis, 4 credits

Winter 2010

Thomas A. Discenna E-mail:[email protected]

Office: 326 Wilson Hall Office Phone: 248.370.4128

Class Time: TR 10:00-11:47 Office Hours: TR 12:30-1:00 and byappointment

Course Description: Analysis and comparison of spoken and written texts, with the aim

of bringing out their basic structures and differences by methods ranging from closereading to categorization and statistics.

Text(s):

Johnstone, Barbara.Discourse Analysis, 2nd

Ed.Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2008.

Phillips, Louise & Marianne W. Jorgensen.Discourse Analysis as Theory and Method.Thousand Oak, CA: Sage, 2002.

Other readings as assigned.

Course Requirements:

Tests (2x20%) 40% Final research essay 30%

Application/reflection journal/blog 15% Article studies 15%

Tests(2x15%): There will be a mid-term and a final in this course. Both are non-

cumulative, covering material presented from the start of the course to the mid-termbreak and then from mid-term to the final exam period. Material covered includes

readings, lectures and in-class presentations. Test format will include multiple choice,

matching, definitions and essays.

Application/reflection journal/blog(20%): As we move through the semester I expect

that you will explore the ideas presented in a journal to be kept on the Moodle Blog

feature. These entries may be applications of specific concepts to newsworthy or

personal events or thoughtful reflections on the topics being presented. I believe oneentry per week of some substance (250-500 words) should suffice though you are

certainly free to exceed this limit should you feel so inclined. I would also encourage

you to read the blogs of your classmates as we may discuss the issues raised here in class.

Article studies(20%): There are number of scholarly journals devoted exclusively to the

field of discourse analysis includingDiscourse and Society, Critical Discourse Studies,andDiscourse and Communication. I will compile a number (to be determined by the
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

5/21/2018 syl

2/4

enrollment of this course) of articles that I regard as exemplary and assign them to

individual students. Students assigned to an article should prepare a summary (of about

one page, outline format is fine) of the article with not less than two thoughtful, open-ended discussion questions for informal presentation to the class. One week following

this presentation the student should submit to me an analysis of the article guided by the

discussion from the previous week. This analysis should take the form of a two to threepage (double spaced) essay.

Final research essay (30%): The final research essay may be a broad theoretical essay

exploring in more detail some concept in discourse analysis or an application employingthese concepts to further understand some example of discourse. This essay should be

between twelve and fifteen pages and employ not less than eight to ten references

properly cited according to recognized standards. I am of course happy to read drafts in

preparation and we will spend some time in class discussing these projects.

Academic Conduct Policy:Cheating on examinations, plagiarism, falsifying

reports/records, and unauthorized collaboration, access, or modifying of computerprograms are considered serious breaches of academic conduct. The Oakland University

policy on academic conduct will be strictly followed with no exceptions.

Add/Drops: The University add/drop policy will be explicitly followed. It is thestudents responsibility to be aware of the University deadline dates for dropping the

course.

Special Considerations:Students with disabilities who may require special

considerations should make an appointment with campus Disability Support Services.

Students should also bring their needs to the attention of the instructor as soon as

possible.

Civility Policy: I believe that classroom civility is a crucial aspect of a beneficial learning

environment. The conduct of both students and Professors should contribute to aclassroom culture that is respectful, engaged, and productive. It is the responsibility of

class members to maintain and protect the ethic of civility in the classroom, and

accordingly the following guidelines for appropriate conduct will be applied:- Turn off cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices before class begins

- Refrain from side conversations and remarks during class

- Treat other students and your professor with courtesy and respect

- Address personal and class-related problems with your professor during office

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in corrective action by professor at theirdiscretion. Students who disrupt class may be asked to leave in order to provide a

positive learning environment for others.

5/21/2018 syl

3/4

Course Outline: (tentative)

Week #1 Introduction to the course and the study of discourseSeptember 1 READ: Guowei, J., Schmisseur, A. M. & Fairhurst, G. T. (2008)

Organizational discourse and communication: the progeny of

Proteus.Discourse and Communication, 2, 299-321.

Week #2 Discourse, discourse, and communication

September 6 & 8 READ: Phillips & Jorgensen chapter 1

Johnstone chapter 1

Week #3 Discourse: Laclau and Mouffe

September 13 &15 READ: Phillips & Jorgensen chapter 2

Johnstone chapter 2

Week #4 Discourse: CDA


Week #5 Discourse: discursive psychology


Week #6 Discourse: common themes

October 4 & 6 READ: Phillips & Jorgensen chapter 5

Week #7 Critical social constructionist research

October 11 & 13 READ: Phillips & Jorgensen chapter 6

Test #1 will be taken on October 13

Week #8 discourse: structure

October 18 & 20 READ: Johnstone chapter 3

Week #9 discourse: participants

October 25 & 27 READ: Johnstone chapter 4

Week #10 discourse: intertextuality

November 1 & 3 READ: Johnstone chapter 5

Week #11 discourse: medium


Week #12 discourse: interpretation


Week #13 discourse: general themes

November 23 READ: Johnstone chapter 8

5/21/2018 syl

4/4

Week #14 Whither discourse?

November 29 & Final research essay due (December 1)

December 1

The final exam for this course will be held on Tuesday December 6 from 8:0011:00

during which time we will take test #2.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS:We strongly encourage you to be proactive about your future.Advising: Plan to meet with Communication Advisor, Renee Ligeski, once each year. Schedule

an appointment for advising by calling248-370-4120.Career Services:Begin visiting the OU Career Services Office in your freshman year to make anappointment with a Career Consultant and to start preparations for your career and future

employment search. Schedule an appointment by calling 248-370-3250. Also, check out their

website regularly:www.oakland.edu/careerservices/Graduate Study:If you are considering graduate study, either at OU or another institution,

please make an appointment to sit down with one of our faculty to explore your options.Facebook:We post regular updates to the OU COM Facebook page. Please join the OU Network

and then join the OU COM page.
http://oakland.edu/careerservices/http://oakland.edu/careerservices/http://oakland.edu/careerservices/http://oakland.edu/careerservices/

syl

Documents