Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject explores language's recent emergence at the centre of the cultural sciences, focusing on its crucial role in political understanding and action. Major themes are: (1) modernity and crisis - cultural fragmentation, cultural difference, and the distinctive powers of language; (2) the spectre of relativism - meanings, interpretations, and the ways of life; (3) the spectre of `newspeak' - orthodox and official discourse, legitimation, deception and manipulation; (4) political `communication' - community and uncertainty of meaning, controversy, and change; (5) political `word magic' - fictions, metaphors, and the creation of political words. Members of the subject will be encouraged to link its materials with their other concerns.
Assessment Written and seminar participation (6000 words): 50% + Examination (3 hours): 50%