Non-permissible combination with ENGL1064: ENGL2182/ LCOM2004. Language, communication and the media
[Note to students admitted in 2023-24 and before: Students who have already completed “ENGL2182/ LCOM2004. Language, communication and the media” are not allowed to study “ENGL1064. Language, communication and the media” in the academic year 2024-25 and thereafter. But for those who have not completed ENGL2182/ LCOM2004 as an advanced course, they may still take ENGL1064 as an introductory course (List B) in the academic year 2024-25 and thereafter.]

This course examines key research methods in language, communication, and media studies, exploring their principles, applications, and ethical considerations. Through a critical lens, students will assess the strengths and limitations of these methodologies in research practice. Core themes include questionnaires, linguistic ethnography, case study research, interviews and focus groups, and discourse analytic approaches, equipping students with the skills to investigate language use across different contexts.

A distinctive feature of this course is the integration of news media data to illustrate key theories and analytical approaches. Students will critically engage with news articles, public broadcasts, and institutional texts, drawing on a plethora of illustrative examples to examine how linguistic structures, rhetorical strategies, and discourse framing shape public narratives. By applying methods such as transitivity analysis, linguistic and visual analysis, and corpus linguistics, they will explore how language is used to construct ideology, influence perspectives, and mediate communication within journalistic and public discourse.

Working within sociocultural, interaction-oriented, and discourse-based research paradigms, students will analyse the linguistic mechanisms behind media representation, comparing different reporting styles, framing strategies, and ideologies. They will explore how discourse functions in institutional and media contexts, considering how language is employed to convey authority, legitimacy, and social positioning. Through real-world case studies, students will develop the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to critically investigate the intersections of language, communication, and media in contemporary society.

 

This course combines lectures with interactive learning experiences. Lectures will introduce key concepts, research methods, and theoretical frameworks, while select sessions will incorporate exercises, case study analysis, and opportunities for reflection and discussion.

 

• 20% Class participation and contribution
• 40% Curated digital portfolio
• 40% Research project

A list of primary and recommended readings will be provided.