Amoshaun Phynn Toft
Provides a background for understanding qualitative inquiry. Focuses on ethnographic inquiry and interpretative cultural analysis. Discusses forms of data collection such as observation, participant observation, and interviewing. Also stresses strategies for data analysis and for handling qualitative data.
Topics in Qualitative Inquiry: Discourse Analysis
This course provides an overview of theoretical and methodological approaches to discourse analysis. We will cover a range of issues pertaining to the study of language in use, including: the relationship between social theory and empirical research; the role of the researcher and research ethics; power and the politics of naming; inductive, deductive, and retroductive research design; and using numbers in qualitative research.
Students will learn to use a set of tools for grammatical and lexical analysis, perform collaborative research tasks, and produce original research that interrogates the ways that language structures relationships, identities, and societies.
Student learning goals
Familiarity with social theories of importance in the field of discourse analysis
An understanding of the range of methods for analyzing discourse
Ability to analyze written, visual, and auditory discourse samples
Fluency in considerations of importance in research design, sampling, and database production
General method of instruction
The course will take the form of short lectures, multimedia exemplars, and in-class activities.
Students should bring an interest in language and representation. Experience in communication, linguistics, research methods, or social theory are particularly welcome, but not required.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments will be a combination of method-based activities, writing assignments, and exams.