Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Notes

Synopsis

Gain an introduction to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis of discourses and texts in a range of sites and social contexts. You will analyse a variety of written texts and conversation to uncover their cohesive factors as well as stylistic and varietal differences in discourse structure. The unit further explores conversational structure; narrative structure; indicators of semantic cohesion; the distribution of information in a text (givenness, focus, etc.); the place of knowledge and context in language and understanding, and the construction of texts in social contexts.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, a student will be able to:

1. summarize key theoretical and methodological approaches and to discourse analysis, recognise and be able to describe the characteristics of turn taking in dialogue and the structure of narratives;
2. recognise linguistic clues and cues to the introduction of individuals, topics, and themes within texts, to their maintenance, and how some are made more salient;
3. and apply at least one methodology to a selected context.

Assessment

Written Work (9,000 words in total): 100%

Chief examiner(s)

Louisa Willoughby