Module QXL-4476:
Cognitive Discourse Analysis
Cognitive Discourse Analysis 2024-25
QXL-4476
2024-25
School of Arts, Culture And Language
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Thora Tenbrink
Overview
What goes on in people's minds when they consider a problem or decision, and how do they think about what they perceive in the world? These questions can be addressed by using Cognitive Discourse Analysis, a method developed by the module convenor to understand systematically how what we say relates to the way we think. One area in which this method has been applied widely concerns the description of spatial relationships and surroundings. This starts from the many meanings of 'left' and 'right' (depending on perspective, and more) and further relates to many issues of practical relevance in everyday life: wayfinding, place attachment, scene description, object perception and reference, furniture assembly, architectural design, and many more. This module will draw on practical examples from this research area to illustrate the general approach. Assessments will give students a chance to practice using the method in an area of their interest, and present it in formats (posters and concise reports) used widely in academic and non-academic contexts.
The module will start by considering what kinds of thoughts, concepts, and cognitive processes can be accessed through language, and then discuss each step of a research process that involves verbalisation of thought: from identifying a suitable research question via data collection and transcription to analysis, interpretation, and triangulation with other kinds of data. The main emphasis will lie on the systematic analysis of linguistic choices, aiming to identify indicators for specific cognitive phenomena that are of interest for the research purpose at hand: such as attention and perspective, granularity, certainty etc., to be covered in the second half of this module.
While lectures will provide the theoretical and conceptual foundations needed for doing CODA, the seminars will be used to critically assess and extend each procedural step based on the participants' insights gained through experience and literature research. Seminar time as well as individual discussion will also be available to support students in developing their own small CODA study for this module.
The following topics will be covered:
1. Introduction: Background and scope
2. Language as a representation of thought (across disciplines)
3. Analysis Resources 1: Cognitive Linguistics
4. Analysis Resources 2: Discourse Analysis and Functional Grammar
5. CODA Procedures 1: Research questions, experimental design, data elicitation and preparation
6. CODA Procedures 2: Practical steps of data analysis, qualitative insights and quantitative patterns
7. Identifying Cognitive Orientation: Attention and Perspective
8. Identifying Cognitive Depth: Granularity and Certainty
9. Identifying Cognitive Constructiveness: Inference and Transformation
10. Using Language to Convey Thoughts: Communication and Cognitive Strategies
11. Beyond CODA: Triangulation and practical purposes
Assessment Strategy
This module introduces a research methodology that will be feasible to use across research purposes in areas of Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Cognitive Science, etc. Adequate for this type of module, assessment will target a comprehensive application of the methodology in an original research study to be carried out by the student. While the study itself is the main challenge for this module, assessment will be operationalised in two steps, through two common dissemination forms for this type of research in relevant conferences: a poster presentation, and a research report in conference submission format where the main challenge is to keep to restricted space limits as required, where density and appropriate crisp scientific writing style (rather than eloquence in essay writing) is asked for, in line with current practice in this research field.
-threshold -C: The assessments must involve a possible design for / report a research study within the scope of Cognitive Discourse Analysis. The assessments must show evidence of some background study of primary sources going beyond material discussed in lectures. The analyses reported must reflect understanding of the principles of Cognitive Discourse Analysis.
-good -B: Data and review of literature must be collected, organized, and analysed with care and an appreciation must be shown of some of the problems involved with collecting data and reporting the state of the art. The assessments must show a better-than-average standard of knowledge and understanding of the principles of Cognitive Discourse Analysis. The assessments must show evidence of substantial knowledge of primary sources.Assertions must be supported by reference to a theory and/or empirical research.The assessments must show evidence of analytical and critical thinking. The assessments must have a coherent structure and line of argument; relationships between successive parts must be generally easy to follow.
-excellent -A: Data and review of literature must be evaluated critically in a logical manner.The assessments must show originality of exposition and understanding; the author’s own thinking should be readily apparent. The assessments must show clear evidence of extensive reading of primary sources in cognitive science beyond linguistics. The assessments must reflect understanding of interdisciplinary research principles relevant for Cognitive Discourse Analysis.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyse the field of Cognitive Discourse Analysis to develop original research questions and study designs.
- Evaluate analysis results critically in relation to other findings.
- Evaluate linguistic analysis criteria relevant to a research question, and interpret their significance for the given data set.
- Prepare and evaluate appropriate data and systematically analyse them using Cognitive Discourse Analysis.
Assessment method
Report
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Research report of a small CODA study, using the format of a CogSci conference proceedings paper (appropriate for this kind of study). The mark consists of two parts: 50% of the mark concerns assessment of the study itself (its design, feasibility, appropriateness for CODA, how it was carried out, analysis depth and accuracy); and 50% concerns assessment of the report as a piece of academic writing (including theoretical motivation and literature referencing, style of writing, discussion of results, conclusion).
Weighting
70%
Due date
17/01/2025
Assessment method
Individual Presentation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Poster presentation of the design for a small CODA study
Weighting
30%
Due date
04/11/2024