Introduction to linguistic discourse analysis, 7,5 ECTS credits

The course aims at introducing and providing proficiency in various types of linguistic approaches to discourse analysis. It is open for doctorate students, both in linguistics and in other disciplines, where the student nurtures a research interest for historical, social and political issues and phenomena.

Course Content

Photo: Ingmarie Andersson (SU)

“The linguistic turn” made language a major key to studies in the humanities. This change has paved the way for discourse analysis as theory and method, where authors like Foucault, Habermas and Laclau & Mouffe have inspired discourse analytical studies within many disciplines of the humanities. The linguistic discourse analysis has developed concrete tools, however, these have not been spread to the same extent as the theory itself. The present course aims at introducing and providing proficiency in various types of linguistic approaches to discourse analysis. It is open for doctorate students, both in linguistics and in other disciplines, where the student nurtures a research interest for historical, social and political issues and phenomena.

The course takes it starting point in discourse linguistics and critical discourse analysis, where theoretical concepts and methodological approaches aspire at revealing how social structures and power relations are shaped and reshaped through written, spoken and visual language use.

The course discusses conceptual-historical, transtexual, corpus-based, cognitive semantic and socio-semiotic approaches. The doctorate student will be provided with opportunities to analyse discourses on micro and macro level in a practical way. The analysis may very well be performed within an on-going Ph.D.-project of the student. The course also treats empiric issues and data collection, as well as the problematic but important boundary between text analysis and discourse analysis.

Learning outcomes

In order to pass the course, students are expected to be able to:

critically explore how social structures and power relations are shaped and reshaped through written, spoken and visual language use
discuss, evaluate and contextualize various methods and theoretical perspectives in linguistic discourse analysis
analyse discourses, both on macro and micro level, using linguistic tools
collect, organise and evaluate empirical data in order to describe, discuss and problematise discourses and their boundaries.

Practical Information

Examination

The course is examined on the basis of active participation at the seminars, and a written course assignment, which is also orally presented.

Mandatory elements

Attendance at all teaching sessions is mandatory. Instruction is given in the form of lectures and seminars, where the doctorate students are expected to participate actively.

Please note: The course is held on campus
Course dates: First seminar 7 november 2025 10-12:00

Language of Instruction

The language of instruction is Swedish or English.

Application to the Course

Application Period

Applications for courses starting in the autumn semester 2025 are received between May 15 and June 15, 2025. Notifications of acceptance are sent out as soon as possible after the final date.

All applications are sent by the supervisor to: doctoralschool@hum.su.se. Official transcript of records, or certificate of registration, verifying the applicant's status as doctoral student should be enclosed with the application.

All courses are free of charge, and they are open to all who are admitted to studies on PhD-level, regardless of faculty or university. Prerequisites and special admittance requirements may apply for some courses.

How to Apply

The application form (document link below) is used to apply for a place in a course. The supervisor (or equivalent) must support the doctoral student’s application with a motivation as to why the doctoral student should participate in the course. The supervisor also submits the proposal to the following address: doctoralschool@hum.su.se.

Application form for place in a joint faculty course

Doctoral candidates enrolled at universities other than Stockholm University must attach proof of registration in Ladok (or equivalent), confirming admission to third-cycle (doctoral) studies.

Who can apply?

The Faculty of Humanities’ doctoral students have priority for places, and external doctoral students (from Stockholm University or another university) can be admitted to a course subject to availability. External doctoral students will be registered in Ladok in order to enable the Board to monitor all participants in a course.

Last updated: 2025-12-09

Source: Faculty Of Humanities