2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LING5621M Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis

30 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Bethan Davies
Email: b.l.davies@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

This module assumes knowledge of some basic concepts in linguistics. Students who have not previously studied an introductory module in linguistics will need to undertake some background reading in the subject. Students are welcome to contact the module leader for advice.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Pragmatics and discourse analysis are concerned with the use of language in real communicative situations: what resources do speakers have when creating messages and how do addresses interpret what is meant? We will look at how we ‘do things with words’ and how language is used to organize social activity. There is a particular focus on the social function of language and its importance in creating and maintaining relationships, including transcultural contexts.

Objectives

Through lecture and seminar activities together with the preparation and production of the assessment, this module aims to:
1. Introduce you to core concepts in pragmatics and discourse analysis, such as implicature, genre structure, and politeness
2. Familiarise you with key debates in across these fields.
3. Develop linguistic analysis skills by applying concepts and frameworks to data
4. Focus on the interpersonal aspects of communication – how we design language for others’ understanding and how this can create challenges for transcultural social relationships in a globalised world
5. Encourage reflexive action by scaffolding the summative coursework through feedback on a formative essay plan

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
LO1: Demonstrate a sound theoretical knowledge of some core concepts within the fields of discourse analysis and pragmatics
LO2: Discuss the importance of linguistic choices to the social function of language
LO3: Critically evaluate theoretical perspectives and relate these to concerns in the field.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
SO4: Demonstrate effective use of academic language and academic writing skills
SO5: Demonstrate active learning in researching and developing the essay
SO6: Demonstrate the ability to locate, manage and evaluate a range of sources in the production of assessed work

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			270.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminars involve the tutor monitoring students’ understanding of core module content whilst providing feedback and more targetted support, where necessary. The lectures are a flexible space where linguistic analyses will be practised and feedback offered as well as content delivered. Time is set aside in these sessions for students to raise any questions and for the module leader to address any areas of concern as the module progresses. An extended essay plan submitted at the end of the Easter term allows students to receive detailed written feedback on their intended essay topic (in terms of content, structure and style) and they can discuss any issues that arise in a meeting with their tutor prior to submitting their work.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/02/2024

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