This course is an introduction to and survey of some of the major approaches to analyzing oral and written texts. We will examine and practice various analytic perspectives, including conversation analysis, rhetorical analysis, genre analysis, sociolinguistics, and critical discourse analysis, all with an eye toward understanding language practices as integral to complex forms of social participation and organization. As such, this course should 1) introduce students to various methods for analyzing discourse, 2) invite them to evaluate these methods, and 3) provide them with opportunities to practice these analytic methods in relation to questions and texts that interest them.

Texts:

• Johnstone, Barbara. Discourse Analysis.
• Discourse Studies in Composition. Barton, Ellen, and Gail Stygall.
• Discourse as Social Interaction. Van Dijk, Teun, ed.