MJ4700 Language and discourse in the media Course description

Textual and discourse analysis of journalism can provide a critical approach to discerning how the press and other parties in society think about the world. Such an analysis can shed light on how specific writing forms contribute to reproducing or changing wonted patterns of thinking. In this course, the students will develop their knowledge of journalistic language and journalistic genres. They will acquire an increased awareness of different aspects of journalistic language as it has developed over time in media such as newspapers, radio, television and the internet. The students will also obtain insight into and gain an understanding of how journalistic texts can uncover or cover up power relations in society.

None.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of key concepts and analysis tools in textual analysis
• insight into journalist research where textual analysis, genre theory, discourse analysis and language analysis play a key role
• knowledge of journalistic language in different media, such as radio, newspapers, television, and the internet, and is familiar with communication models and language models that can explain the development of journalistic language

Skills

The student is capable of

• methodically and critically analysing journalistic texts
• applying textual and discourse analytical theories and methods in their own research
• critically reflecting on journalistic language in a historical context
• analysing both verbal language and image language in journalism
• inspiring colleagues, students and pupils to employ a critical understanding of language in journalism
• communicating academic issues within the field and contributing to projects where textual and discourse analysis are key

Competence

The student

• is capable of analysing academic, professional and research ethics issues relating to journalistic language
• is skilled in presenting analyses of journalistic material on the basis of academic methods related to textual and discourse analysis, and has developed the ability to give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• is skilled in conducting independent research work in the field of language and discourse through concrete analysis work on a solid theoretical and methodological basis

• discourse analysis in research projects
• genre terms in journalism
• narrative analysis of journalism
• representations of the others in the news stories
• analysis of the discourses used in tabloid newspapers
• visual communication
• analysis of the discourses used in online newspapers

The teaching is spread over two whole weeks. The sessions might be limited in thematic scope, but the course as a whole will deal with academic issues related to journalistic language. The sessions will be a combination of lectures, group work, discussions and seminars dealing with topics from the syllabus, with contributions from the course participants.

Detailed teaching plans are published at the beginning of the semester.

None.

An individual ten-day home exam. The assignment should have a scope of 15 to 20 pages, in font size 12, Times New Roman with 1.5 line spacing.

Candidates who fail or who were absent from the ordinary exam for a valid reason can take a resit/rescheduled exam.

 A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass and F for fail is used.

The assignments are assessed by one external and one internal examiner.