Assignments

Discourse and Pragmatics

Assignments

Field Journal (60%)

For this course you must choose a 'site of investigation' which you will study throughout the semester (such as your workplace, your school, or an organization you belong to). Each week you are required to conduct an investigation in this site based on the principles of discourse analysis covered in the lectures and reading in that week. The first five investigations should be submitted for assessment at the end of week six. The remaining seven investigations should be submitted in the beginning of week fourteen. For more information see the Field Investigations page of this website.

Article Critique (10%)

For this assignment you must read an article in which some method of discourse analysis is applied to a setting similar to your site of investigation and write a short summary and critique of the article. Your paper should include the following: 1) full and accurate bibliographical information of the article, 2) a short summary of the study, the methods and the findings, 3) your evaluation of the study, 4) a reflection on how the study relates to your own site of investigation and what insights you might apply to your own research. This assignment should be submitted at the beginning of week eleven.

Test (20%)

There is no final examination in this course, but there is a final test that will take place in week thirteen. The test will last an hour and consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. All of the material from the lectures and the required readings will be covered in the test.

Attendance and Participation (10%)

You are expected to attend class regularly and actively participate in class activities and discussions. More than three unexcused absences will result in failure of the course.