LIN8005 Discourse Analysis

LIN	8005	79362	2, 2008	EXT	Discourse Analysis	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE002
Student contribution band:	National Priority Teaching
ASCED code:	070115

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Ann Dashwood
Moderator: Aniko Hatoss

OTHER REQUISITES

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html

RATIONALE

To know how language works, a student of second language teaching needs to understand the systematic nature of the language of communication by analysing discourse. The course emphasises how to describe discourse patterns in context for a range of language situations. It aims to show how coherent communication occurs in both spoken and written forms, and how listeners and readers interpret the messages they receive taking into account pragmatic and linguistic contexts.

SYNOPSIS

This course looks at the nature of discourse from a Pragmatics perspective taking account social, psychological and linguistic aspects of discourse. Conversations and oral interaction among first language speakers and between native and non-native speakers of English in classroom and community contexts will be analysed as part of studying how goals of communication are achieved. The role of speech act theory and communication constraints in the effective processing of spoken text, and of discourse features and markers in coherent written texts will be examined as a means of understanding the nature of spoken and written discourse. Students will have the opportunity to study a specific cultural setting or language community and review theory in the field of pragmatics relevant to their setting.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On successful completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate:

knowledge of system constraints on communication and awareness of the cultural and social influences on communication; (Journal 1; Transcript and 1000 Word Text)
analysis of speech acts and speech events in the context of communication; (Journal 1; Transcript and 1000 Word Text)
ability to identify elements of classroom or community discourse from students' own transcribed sample; (Journal 1; Transcript and 1000 Word Text)
ability to examine the structure of information and coherence in discourse and to analyse discourse markers in oral and written texts locating issues for second language writers; (Journal 1; One 2500 Word Text Analysis)
analyse an aspect of discourse in classroom or community interaction from a Pragmatic viewpoint. (Journal 2; One 2500 Word Project)

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	System constraints on communication	15.00
2.	Cultural constraints on communication	10.00
3.	Speech acts and speech events in context	15.00
4.	Spoken discourse in classroom and community	15.00
5.	Coherence in speech and writing	10.00
6.	Text Analysis: rhetorical properties of texts	15.00
7.	Cross-cultural features of communication	20.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Hatch, E 1992, Discourse and language education, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Whether you are on, or off campus, the USQ Library is an excellent source of information http://www.usq.edu.au/library/ . The gateway to education resources is here... http://www.usq.edu.au/library/faculties/education/default.htm

Brown, P, & Levinson, S 1987, Politeness: some universals in language usuage, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

McCarthy, M 1991, Discourse analysis for language teachers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

McHoul, A, & Rapley, M 2001, How to analyse talk in institutional settings: a case study of methods, Continuium, New York.

Schiffrin, D 1994, Approaches to discourse, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford.

Thomas, J 1995, Meaning in interaction: an introduction to pragmatics, Longman, New York.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	31.00
Directed Study	44.00
Private Study	100.00
Telephone Tutorials	2.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
TRANSCRIPT AND 2000 WORD TEXT	30.00	30.00	15 Aug 2008
REFLECTIVE JOURNALS	15.00	15.00	15 Aug 2008	(see note 1)
ONE 2000 WORD TEXT ANALYSIS	20.00	20.00	26 Sep 2008
ONE 2500 WORD PROJECT	35.00	35.00	31 Oct 2008

NOTES

1.: Submit one journal entry with each of the three assessment items, ie 15/08/2008, 26/09/2008, and 31/10/2008.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
2.	In accordance with University Policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
3.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
4.	The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
5.	Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
6.	In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
7.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
8.	Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html. *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

This version produced 19 Aug 2008.