Khatam Institute of Higher Education

Fall Semester, 2014

Discourse Analysis
Course Instructor: Saeed Rezaei
Location: Khatam Institute of Higher Education
Office Hours: Wednesdays (by appointment)
Contact: E-mail: srezaei@sharif.edu
1.

Course Description
This is an introductory course to the study of language in context for the M.A. students of Applied
Linguistics. As an interdisciplinary field, Discourse Analysis derives its theoretical and methodological
approaches from several fields including Linguistics, Sociology, and Anthropology.

2.

Course Objectives
By the end of this term, the students are expected to
have a firm understanding of the main areas of research introduced in the syllabus;
be able to articulate the general history of the development, expansion, and future research in each area
introduced;
give a short lecture on one of the topics introduced in the syllabus;
deliver either a proposal or a paper at the end of the term.

3. Scoring Criteria
a) Attendance and Participation
b) One Seminar
c) Midterm Exam
d) Final Exam
e) Paper Submission (Optional)

2 points
2 points
6 Points
10 Points
2 Extra Points

4. Required Texts and Articles

Baker, P. (2006). Using corpora in discourse analysis. London: Continuum.
Bhatia, V., Flowerdew, J., & Jones, R. H. (2008). Approaches to discourse analysis. In V. Bhatia, J.
Flowerdew, & R.H. Jones (Eds.). Advances in discourse studies. London: Routledge.
Bousfield, D., & Locher, M. A. (Eds.). (2008). Impoliteness in language: Studies on its interplay with
power in theory and practice. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
Cameron, D. (1998). Is there any ketchup, Vera?': Gender, power and pragmatics. Discourse & Society,
9(4), 437-455.
Cameron, D. (2003). Gender issues in language change. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 23, 187201.
Crismore, A., & Abdollehzadeh, E. (2010). A review of recent metadiscourse studies: The Iranian
context. Nordic Journal of English Studies, 9(2), 195-219.
Flowerdew, J. (2013). Discourse in English Language education. New York: Routledge.
Gorter, D. (2013). Linguistic landscapes in a multilingual world. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics,
33, 190-212.
1

Halliday, M. A. K. & Hasan, R. (1976). Cohesion in English. London: Longman.

Hyland, K. (2005). Metadiscourse: Exploring interaction in writing. London: Continuum.
Izadi, F., & Saghaye-Biria, H. (2007). A discourse analysis of elite American newspaper editorials: The
case of Irans nuclear program. Journal of Communication Inquiry, 31(2), 140-165.
Kendall, S., & Tannen, D. (2001). Discourse and gender. In D. Schiffrin, Tannen, D., & Hamilton, H.
E. (Eds.). The handbook of discourse analysis. Oxford: John Wiley & Sons.
Machin, D., & Suleiman, U. (2006). Arab and American computer war games: The influence of a
global technology on discourse. Critical Discourse Studies, 3(01), 1-22.
Samraj, B. (2005). An exploration of a genre set: Research article abstracts and introductions in two
disciplines. English for specific purposes, 24(2), 141-156.
Schegloff, E. A., Koshik, I., Jacoby, S., & Olsher, D. (2002). Conversation analysis and applied
linguistics. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 22, 3-31.
Vandenbroucke, M. (2014). Language visibility, functionality and meaning across various TimeSpace
scales in Brussels' multilingual landscapes. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development,
(ahead-of-print), 1-19.
Wodak, R., & Meyer, M. (Eds.). (2001). Methods for critical discourse analysis. London: Sage.

5. Recommendations for Further Readings

Bloomaert, J. (2005). Discourse analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Schiffrin, D., Tannen, D., & Hamilton, H. E. (Eds.). (2001). The handbook of discourse analysis. John
Wiley & Sons.
Bloor, M., & Bloor, T. (2013). The practice of critical discourse analysis: An introduction. London:
Routledge.
Widdowson, H. (2007). Discourse analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
6. Course Schedule
Session
Topics
1
Introducing the syllabus
2
Discourse Analysis: An Introduction
3
4

Systemic Functional Linguistics,

Cohesion, & Coherence
Speech Acts & Pragmatics

Politeness and Impoliteness

Conversation Analysis

7
8

Midterm Exam
Linguistic Landscape

Genre Analysis

10

Corpus and Concordances

11

Metadiscourse

12

Critical discourse analysis

13

Media Discourse Analysis

14

Gender and Discourse

15

Final Exam

Sources
Bhatia et al. (2008), pp.1-17
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 1
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 2, 3, 4
Halliday & Hasan (1976): Summary
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 5
Kasper & Rose (2002): Summary
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 6
Bousfield & Locher (2008), Ch. 1
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 7
Schegloff et al. (2002)
Gorter (2013)
Vandenbroucke (2014)
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 8
Samaraj (2005)
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 9
Baker (2006), Ch. 4
Hyland (2005), Ch. 1 & 2
Crismore & Abdollehzadeh (2010)
Flowerdew (2013), Ch. 10
Wodak & Meyer (2001), Ch. 1
Machin & Suleiman (2006)
Izadi & Saghaye-Biria (2007)
Cameron (1998)
Cameron (2003)
Kendall & Tannen (2001)

Journals
Discourse and Communication; Discourse and Society; Discourse Studies; Critical Discourse Studies;
Discourse, Context, and Media; CADAAD Journal; Discourse Processes; Text and Talk
Late Assignment Policy
The completion of assignments in a timely fashion is appreciated. Late assignments will receive deductions or
will be discarded and only in rare cases with convincing causes this rule is waived (unless under certain
extenuating circumstances or the instructors own extension!). Requests for extensions should reach me no later
than a week before the assignment is due.
Professional Writing Policy
Assignments submitted are expected to follow standard writing features vaccinated from language deviations,
editorial problems, or APA-related inconsistencies.
E-mail Policy
Students are expected to have academic e-mails and check their e-mails each session before the class starts in
case handouts are sent to them or specific instructions are given for the class.
Participation and Attendance Policy
Attendance in all sessions is compulsory. Three or more unexcused absences will result in the failure of the
course! Also absences/tardiness will negatively affect your final score!