Discourse and Interaction

Subject LING90028 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught online/distance.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus or online



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 Hours per week
Total Time Commitment:

120 Hours

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites. Students not enrolled in the Master of Applied Linguistics require coordinator permission.

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

none

Non Allowed Subjects:

none

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Subject Overview:

This subject investigates the nature of spoken discourse and major approaches to analysing and understanding it; written discourse will also be touched on for comparative purposes. Students will develop their skills in the collection and transcription of spoken language data and in designing research projects in discourse analysis relevant to applied linguistics. A variety of discourse types and genres will be studied, with a focus on dialogic interaction. Theories and approaches covered will include pragmatics, conversation analysis, and critical discourse analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of major concepts and approaches to the analysis of language from pragmatic and discourse perspectives;
  • Be able to identify and describe discourse features in spoken texts using appropriate terminology and techniques;
  • Have developed skills in the collection and transcription of spoken discourse;
  • Show an awareness of a range of issues in the study of discourse in applied linguistics.
Assessment:
  • 2 practical homework assignments totalling 2,000 words (40%) regularly spaced through the semester.
  • A research report of 3,000 words on a discourse analysis project (60%) due during the examination period.
Prescribed Texts:

Working with spoken discourse (D Cameron) SAGE publications 2001

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students will also:

  • Develop their analytical skills and critical thinking through completion and discussion of a range of analytical exercises;
  • Improve their ability to think in theoretical terms through developing and critically evaluating arguments and relating these to evidence;
  • Develop their skills in communicating knowledge and critical opinion clearly and persuasively.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: English Language - 100 Point Program
English Language - 200 Point Program
Language Testing - 100 Point Program
Language Testing - 200 Point Program
TESOL - 100 Point Program
TESOL - 200 Point Program
Technology in Language Learning - 100 Point Program
Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program

Download PDF version.