Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - LING 482W D100

Topics in Linguistics III (3)

Discourse Analysis

Class Number: 13218

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Requirements will vary according to the topic offered.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Investigation of a selected area of linguistic research. The course will be writing-intensive. This course may be repeated once for credit if the subject is different. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides an introduction to the analysis of discourse and dialogue. Discourse here is defined as the study of the organization of language above the sentence level, but also as any manifestation of language in context. Dialogue is defined as an instance of language that involves interaction between two or more people.
The course will provide an overview of the phenomena included in the study of discourse and dialogue, from linguistic, psycholinguistic and computational points of view. Students will read original and recent work in these areas, and will be encouraged to collect, analyze and process their own data.
This is a writing-intensive course, and will involve extensive drafting, reviewing and in-class writing exercises.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course, students will have learnt the basic aspects of the study of discourse from a functional perspective.
Assignments and final papers will involve analyses of texts. The emphasis is on the identification of patterns and labelling of text structures. The ultimate goal of the assignments is to be able to write a descriptive account of the analysis, and to explain how discourse analysis contributes to a better understanding of language phenomena.

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Assignments 30%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Final Paper 30%
  • No Final Exam

NOTES:

Prerequisites for this course: 9 upper division LING units

It is strongly recommended that you see the Student Advisor regarding your degree requirements at least two semesters before you plan to graduate. Unless you meet both faculty and major/minor requirements, your graduation cannot be approved.

Students should familiarize themselves with the Department's Standards on Class Management and Student Responsibilities at http://www.sfu.ca/linguistics/undergraduate/standards.html
Please note that a grade of “FD” may be assigned as a penalty for academic dishonesty.
 All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes or no later than one week after a student adds a course.
Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities (778-782-3112 or csdo@sfu.ca).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Flowerdew, John (2013) Discourse in English Language Education. New York: Routledge. Please note that this book is not available at the SFU bookstore. Additional readings will be made available.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS