General provisions

The course can constitute a freestanding course of 7.5 credits

The course may be included in the Master's programme religious studies 120 credits. The course may be included in Religion scientific program 210 credits

The course may be included in the teacher programme for student with Bachelor's degree and completed studies equivalent 40 credit points/60 credits within some religion scientific field and that furthermore accomplished General education studies III.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree with the main field of study within social sciences, humanities or religious studies or 120 credits including 90 credits within some religious studies main field of study.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

Level descriptors

* present the basic characteristics of various models for using discourse analysis as a scientific theory and method

* be able to problematise scientific theoretical matters thoroughly

* demonstrate profound knowledge of one of the analytical specialisations of the course,

Skills

* in a scientifically valid way work with discourse-analytical tools

* operationalise abstract reasonings to practically useful method and theory

* in groups compile and present analysed materials,

* independently write scientific text

Values

* take position to and be able to support an independent argumentation for/against scientific theoretical matters,

* produce independent problem formulations in relation to social and political processes by means of discourse-analytical theory.

Content

Discourse analysis is a generic term for critical civic analysis with roots in semiology, analysis of ideologies analysis and psychoanalysis. Discourse analysis is mainly used to analyse text and speeches but also well suited for the analysis of other types of materials such as image and film.

The course Discourse analysis has two parts.

1) Discourse analysis as scientific theory and method: this part introduces the basic principles of discourse analysis, how discourse analysis can be used in the study of social phenomena such as religion, and how various discourse analytical perspectives and concepts can be operationalized in empirical studies. The main focus is discourse theory as presented by Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffes and critical discourse analysis as presented by Norman Fairclough.

2) Discourse analysis in use for empirical studies: during this part students are given the opportunity to use different discourse-analytical methods on a variety of material. The design of this part depends on the size of the group and will be decided by the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures and mandatory seminars. The course is based on active student participation, and the selected literature requires precise reading. By this reason the extent of the compulsory literature is limited to 600 pages. Missed seminar requires make up work in the form of an independent presentation of assignment.

* Note that teaching may be given in English

Assessment

Examination will take place through seminars with written assignments and a final paper. Active participation in seminars amounts to 2,5 ECTS/hp and the paper to 5 ECTS/hp.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

Please note that the stated teaching methods may be replaced by self-studies if there is a very low number of students.

Transitional provisions

Students retain the right to be examined on the course according to this syllabus for 3 semesters after their course instance has ended. Normally, instruction will be given according to the latest version of the course syllabus only.