Objectives and competences
The aim of the course is to teach students to analyze multimodal discourse and to raise their awareness of text typology in the case of multimodal texts. In addition, the goal is to train students to recognize different types of intermodal connections and the level of intermodal complexity and intensity, using the example of texts in English.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Defining discourse as language use in context
• Multimodality as the interaction of language with non-linguistic semiotic codes (images, gestures, gaze, facial expressions, handling of objects, projections, vocalization, physical space and sound)
• Overview of the history of approaches to the multimodal nature of discourse
• Analysis of multimodal discourse from the perspective of the theory of context (register and genre)
• Register concept: variables of field, tone and mode
• Multimodality in the analysis of genre
• Multimodality in terms of register (field, mode, tone)
• Different types of inter-modality with an emphasis on the interaction between verbal discourse, images and action
• Multimodality in terms of elementary text types (stories, reports, expositions and procedural text) in English
• Multimodality from an intercultural and interlingual point of view
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures
• Guided discussion
• Guided analysis and interpretation of texts
• Independent construction and analysis of texts
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
• Recognize linguistic and non-linguistic semiotic codes in multimodal texts
• Recognize different approaches to multimodal discourse analysis
• Apply register analysis to multimodal discourse in English
• Recognize the variables of field, tone and mode variables in verbal and non-verbal semiotic codes
• Perform independent analysis of multimodal texts using register variables
• Evaluate critically different approaches to the interpretation of multimodality
• Evaluate critically the quality of multimodal texts in terms of modal intensity and complexity of intermodal connections.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Transferable/Key Skills and other competences:
• Ability to use multimodal discourse analysis in creating effective texts
• Ability to recognize the effects of multimodal discourse in everyday life (consumerism, advertisements, politics….)
Readings
Martin, JR. in Rose, D. 2008. Genre Relations. Mapping Culture. Equinox Publishing.
Martin, JR. in Rose, D. 2004. Working with Discourse. Meaning beyond the Clause. London, New York: Continuum.
Norris, S. 2019. Systematically Working with Multimodal Data. Research Methods in Multimodal Discourse Analysis. New York: Wiley Blackwell.
Prerequisits
Attendance of 80% and regular completion of coursework are required for taking the exam.
Additional information on implementation and assessment Written examination - 50%
Coursework - 50%
