This course will focus on the relationship between discourse, gender, power and identity. It will examine ways in which language can be actively varied by speakers according to social contexts, to express deference, solidarity, and identity. More specifically, the course will analyse ways in which gender is communicated and marked in language. How do people express identity through language? How is powerlessness revealed in talk? Is language inherently sexist? There are a number of different approaches to the analysis of discourse, such as Discourse Analysis, Conversation Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Analysis of Institutional Talk, Interactional Sociolinguistics. A major focus of the course will be to critically examine some of these different approaches to the analysis of discourse, with respect to the issues of gender, power and identity.

1. Explain, and argue for, the ways in which language expresses deference, power, solidarity and identity.
2. Explain and argue for some of the different approaches to the analysis of discourse, including Discourse Analysis, Conversation Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Analysis of Institutional Talk, Interactional Sociolinguistics.
3. Work in a group to discuss the different ways in which language can be analysed in terms of power, solidarity, identity, gender.
4. Think about, write and present an argument related to the analysis of discourse.

Participation in online discussion (20%) as per the online assessment rubric and two x 3,000 word essays (40% each). Passing of the course is conditional on students passing all assessment items.

This course has 2 lectures per week and 6 additional tutorials held during the semester.

In addition to the required contact hours (lectures and tutorials) it is expected that students will spend an additional 8-9 hours per week on this course.