This workshop will introduce participants to the basics of social science discourse analysis (and similar approaches such as narrative analysis), i.e. to a family of (interpretive) approaches that emphasise the constructed nature of the social and the importance of struggles for interpretive hegemony for the definition of social and political “realities”.
It starts with a brief introduction to the theoretical and epistemological bases of (poststructuralist) discourses analysis, then moves on to practical exercises whose aim is to illustrate how discourse analytical research is concretely done. These exercises will also raise issues such as validity criteria, the nature and limits of interpretation, and how to write up this type of research convincingly. Finally, participants will have an opportunity to briefly consider various “schools” of discourse analysis and discuss the usefulness of discourse analytical work for various disciplines.
Outline
Theoretical bases of discourse analysis
Types of research questions
Key tools of discourse analysis
Analysis of systems of meanings
Framings
Categorisations
Genealogical analysis
Etc.
Practical steps of a discourse analytical approach
Typical limitations and problems of discourse analysis
Writing up discourse analytical research
Audience & Prerequisites
The workshop welcomes participants with a variety of backgrounds. However, it will be particularly useful to:
participants with little or no prior knowledge of discourse analysis who wish to get some insights into this methodology
participants who have some acquaintance with discourse analysis but who feel the need to discuss and reflect on their own practices
Readings & Resources
Gill, Rosalind. 2000. “Discourse Analysis”, in Bauer, M. and Gaskell, G., Qualitative Researching with Text, Image and Sound. London: Sage, pp. 172-190.
Chilton, Paul and Schäffner, Christina. 1997. "Discourse and Politics", in Van Dijk, Teun A. (eds). Discourse as Social Interaction. London: Sage, pp. 206-230.