Lecture 2 hours/week
Seminar 2 hours/week
Instruction will primarily be lecture and discussion format, with group work, peer editing, and student presentations based on readings and their research. Some instructors and students may include viewing and analyzing recorded meetings or interviews.
Instructors will give students a representative sample of current theories of critical discourse analysis, rhetorical genre analysis, and pragmatics analysis, as well as case study readings focused on enduring struggles between marginal and mainstream groups. The course will cover selected key concepts from these three theoretical orientations:
Theory
Rhetorical Genre Theory
- the rhetorical situation
- the persuasive appeals
- complex audience analysis: reception theory
- identification and division
- genre theory and genre analysis
- classical and conciliatory arrangements
Critical Theory
- discourse/discursive formations
- language and identity construction
- ideology
- linguistic appropriation
- dialogism/interdiscursivity
- linguistic and symbolic capital
Pragmatics
- audience design
- background knowledge/knowledge structures
- politeness and modality (face-saving language)
- the cooperative principle
Any single version of the course will apply the three theoretical perspectives and related analytical approaches to both readings and empirical research on a salient enduring struggle.
Writing
- genre features of academic writing (summary, essay, research paper genres)
- invention and revision strategies
Speaking
- features of academic presentations
- strategies for addressing an academic audience
Students who successfully complete this course will
Reading
- read and understand academic discourse about social, political and cultural aspects of language and conflict
- recognize and understand the basic concepts of rhetorical genre theory, critical theory, and pragmatics
- recognize and understand how these course concepts have been applied to the analysis of enduring struggles
Analysis
- apply course concepts to the analysis of empirical data gathered on one salient enduring struggle
- apply course concepts to the analysis of discourse and primary texts/genres deployed in one salient enduring struggle
Research
- collect data by interviewing research informants involved in the public debate of an enduring struggle
- collect data by observing and recording a public meeting, debate, or hearing on an enduring struggle
- develop relevant categories for interpreting empirical data (thematic/qualitative and quantitative)
Writing
- write, draft, and revise coherent essay summaries of course readings
- write, draft, and revise a term paper on a major course concept based on relevant readings
- write, draft, and revise a unified and coherent academic research paper that combines readings with empirical research
- provide constructive criteria-based peer feedback on drafts of classmates’ writing assignments
Speaking
- prepare an oral presentation of a research project
- deliver (extemporaneously) an oral presentation that conveys information and interest
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.
Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.
Example evaluation schedule:
| Summaries of course readings (at least two) | 20% |
| Critical summary based on two course readings | 15% |
| Term paper on a major course concept | 20% |
| Research paper: analysis of the genres, speech, and discourses that constitute one enduring struggle |
30% |
| Oral presentation | 10% |
| Attendance/professionalism/participation | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. Example texts include:
- coursepack of readings on rhetorical theory, genre studies, and applied communication research
Acceptance into the Post-Degree Diploma in Professional Communication
OR
A minimum of 45 credit hours including a university-transfer course in English, Communications, or Creative Writing with a grade of B or higher
OR
Permission of the Professional Communication Program Coordinator
None
None