EH325-7-SU-CO:
Doing Discourse Analysis: Populism, Neoliberalism and Radical Democratic Politics
2023/24
Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
Colchester Campus
Summer
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 22 April 2024
Friday 28 June 2024
30
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
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A central claim of discourse theory is that meaning, subjectivity, and agency are constructed within relational structures that are shaped and re-shaped through political struggle. This course introduces the basic concepts of poststructuralist discourse theory, understood as a distinctive, qualitative approach to critical empirical research.
The course situates this approach in relation to competing approaches to social and political analysis that take discourse and meaning seriously, and contextualises it also in relation to key debates in the philosophy of natural and social science.
Drawing inspiration from poststructuralism and psychoanalysis, it serves as a forum to discuss research strategies that are consonant with the field of discourse theory, and outlines conceptual frameworks that can be employed in the analysis of concrete discourses and practices.
A range of concepts and themes are examined with particular reference to the work of thinkers such as Ernesto Laclau, Chantal Mouffe, Judith Butler, Antonio Gramsci, Wendy Brown, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Slavoj Žižek. Such concepts and themes are considered from the point of view of methodology and research strategy, and include discourse and practice, hegemony and antagonism, politics and dislocation, performativity and subjectivity, fantasy and ideology, feminism and the commons, populism and radical democracy.
It uses empirical cases to illustrate broad methodological and theoretical points, from general considerations regarding qualitative methods appropriate to poststructuralist discourse theory, to more focused considerations of rhetorical, ethnographic, participatory, and psycho-social dimensions of research, including the place and role of the analyst in the process of research.
The illustrations will focus on the emergence and hegemonic consolidation of neoliberal discourses and practices in different contexts; the logic and functioning of policy discourses; the rise and character of populist movements and other forms of radical democratic politics; the role of organizational, media and digital practices in contemporary capitalism; the character of urban regimes and novel forms of commoning; and more besides. As part of this course participants are invited to present and thematise their own research topics and proposals
The main aim of the course is to address the challenging question of ‘applying’ discourse theory to empirical phenomena in the name of understanding, explanation, and critique.
On successful completion of the module, students will:
1. Have an advanced understanding of discourse theory, sufficient for producing publishable work in the social sciences
2. Have experience and skills using discourse theory in a range of practical applications
3. Be able to apply their knowledge of discourse theory to their own project
No specialised background knowledge is presupposed in this course, but it would be helpful if participants have some familiarity with basic social science theory.
Module information will be made available at https://essexsummerschool.com/.
Please contact essexsummerschoolssda@essex.ac.uk and govpgquery@essex.ac.uk with any queries.
The following learning and teaching methods will inform the pedagogic process of the course:
The lectures will introduce the key theoretical concepts of the social science research methods. Foundations of the social science methods and instructions on how to apply them for solving research problems will be established through the lectures (Learning outcome 1 and 3). The lectures will also equip students with a critical understanding of the strengths and weakness of the specific techniques, directing them to the most appropriate approach for various contexts.
The labs will focus on practical applications of the methods taught in the lectures. For each topic, relevant applications will be practiced in the lab sessions, which will help students to acquire the skills for implementing the methods and solving problems (Learning outcome 2 and 3).
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assessment one |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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