PSY485 Subjectivity and discourse analysis

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2009
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Kateřina Zábrodská, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Kateřina Zábrodská, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Kateřina Zábrodská, Ph.D.
Timetable
each odd Monday 14:00–17:40 U23
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Účast v kurzu předpokládá zájem o kvalitativní metodologii a o kritickou reflexi současného psychologického vědění a výzkumu. Vhodná, nikoliv však nutná, je základní znalost sociálního konstrukcionismu.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to introduce major traditions of discourse analytical research, their theoretical backgrounds and their application in psychological practices and research. At the end of the course, the students will develop a deep understanding of how psycho-social reality is constructed in (and by) language and discourse. In addition, the students will be taught how to apply discourse analysis in their own research. The course provides the students with the capacity to critically reflect psychological theories and research. It also supports the application of innovative research methods. The introductory part of the course discuses the origins of discourses analysis, particularly the “turn to language” and postmodern theory. The relationship between psychology and postmodernity and the diverse forms of postmodern psychology and postmodern research are discussed. Main strands of discourses analysis – Foucauldian discourse analysis, discursive psychology, conversation analysis, and critical discourse analysis – are introduced, together with their theoretical resources in linguistics, sociology, feminism and philosophy. The theoretical knowledge is systematically connected to examples of its practical application in practice and research. In seminars, we work individually or in small groups. We analyze selected textual data: interviews, textbooks, advertisements, drama, etc. The students learn how to combine discourse analysis with different methods of data-gathering (interviews, focus groups, ethnography, writing, collective biography). The stages of qualitative data analysis, its objectives and criteria of its validity are discussed in detail. In final classes, the students present their own analyses of selected texts, which they have prepared in small groups during the semester.
Syllabus
  • 1. What is discourse analysis? “Turn to language” and “turn to discourse” in social sciences and their implications for psychology. Psychology and postmodern theory. Postmodern research and its applications. Traditions in discourse analytical research. The relationships between discourse analysis and social constructionism, discourse analysis and feminism, discourse analysis and critical (feminist, radical) psychology. 2. Discourse analysis and new theories of self. Concepts of “subject” and “subjectivity”. Concept of “positioning” and its application in research of subjectivity: an analysis of conversation (Davies & Harré), an analysis of interpersonal conflict (Davies), an analysis of masculine identity (Wetherell & Edley). What is discourse? Different definitions of discourse. 3. Foucauldian discourse analysis (FDA) and its theoretical resources: poststructuralism (Foucault, Butler), deconstruction (Derrida), psychoanalysis (Lacan), and critique of mainstream psychology. Examples: research on gender relations (Hollway), research on school and sexual violence (Gavey, Hepburn), research on verbal interaction in class and in managerial team (Baxter). Brief introduction to critical discourse analysis. 4. Conversation analysis and its application in psychology: help line conversations (Sacks), conversations in psychotherapy and counseling (Silverman). Discursive psychology (DP) and its resources: speech act theory, semiology, ethnomethodology, and conversation analysis. Application of DP: studies of racist and sexist discourse (Wetherell & Potter, Gill, Wetherell & Edley). 5. How to conduct a discourse analytical research? Practical exercises. Data for discourse analysis. Interviewing, recording, transcribing, coding, interpretation. Stages of Foucauldian discourse analysis (Parker, Willig). Stages of discursive psychology (Potter & Wetherell, Willig, Potter). Validity. 6. Presentation of students’ analyses and their collaborative reflexion.
Literature
  • WOOFFITT, Robin. Conversation analysis and discourse analysis : a comparative and critical introduction. London: SAGE, 2005, 234 s. ISBN 0761974253. info
  • Qualitative psychology : a practical guide to research methods. Edited by Jonathan A. Smith. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications, 2003, ix, 258. ISBN 0761972307. info
  • BURR, Vivien. Social constructionism. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2003, 229 s. ISBN 0415317606. info
  • Discourse as data : a guide for analysis. Edited by Simeon Yates - Stephanie Taylor - Margaret Wetherell. London: SAGE, 2001, iii, 338. ISBN 0761971580. URL info
  • WETHERELL, Margaret, Simeon YATES and Stephanie TAYLOR. Discourse theory and practice : a reader. London: SAGE, 2001, ix, 406. ISBN 0761971564. URL info
  • BAČOVÁ, Viera. Súčasné smery v psychológii :hľadanie alternatív pozitivizmu. 1. vyd. Prešov: Prešovská univerzita, 2000, 251 s. ISBN 80-88885-81-7. info
  • HENRIQUES, Julian. Changing the subject : psychology, social regulation, and subjectivity. New York: Routledge, 1998, xix, 352. ISBN 0415151384. URL info
  • POTTER, Jonathan and Margaret WETHERELL. Discourse and social psychology : beyond attitudes and behaviour. London: Sage Publications, 1987, 216 s. ISBN 0803980566. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, homeworks (readings), practical training, group discussions.
Assessment methods
Credit course. Requirements: active participation in seminars 30%, readings 30%, final group project 40%.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2006, Spring 2007.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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