GV978-7-AU-CO:
Ideology and Political Discourse
2024/25
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
16 October 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MA L20212 Ideology and Discourse Analysis,
MA L20224 Ideology and Discourse Analysis,
MA L202EB Ideology and Discourse Analysis,
MPHDL20D48 Government (Ideology and Discourse Analysis),
PHD L20D48 Government (Ideology and Discourse Analysis)
This module introduces, develops, and critically engages key strands of poststructuralist discourse theory, including post-marxism, structural linguistics, deconstruction, and psychoanalytic theory. In particular, it clarifies key theoretical categories by examining their associated conceptual frameworks and presuppositions, by probing their value for political analysis and ideological critique, and by exploring their usefulness in relation to selected case illustrations. The module also engages with a set of contemporary debates in political and social theory, in order to deepen our grasp of the role that the categories of discourse and ideology can play.
The aims of this module are:
- To introduce, develop, and critically engage key strands of poststructuralist discourse theory, including post-marxism, structural linguistics, deconstruction, and psychoanalytic theory. In particular, it clarifies key theoretical categories by examining their associated conceptual frameworks and presuppositions, by probing their value for political analysis and ideological critique, and by exploring their usefulness in relation to selected case illustrations.
- To engage with a set of contemporary debates in political and social theory, in order to better probe and grasp the role that the categories of discourse and ideology can play in our understanding of the contemporary world.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Have a good understanding of political discourse theory, including an appreciation
of how approaches to ideology and discourse analysis can vary.
- Have an appreciation of how the assumptions, principles, and categories of political
discourse theory relate to broader debates in political theory and analysis.
- Have the ability to engage critically with the key texts and concepts discussed in the
module.
- Have the capacity to initiate independent research from a discourse theory
perspective.
Students will also be expected to make short class presentations, but these are not formally assessed. The class presentations are typically based on the seminar readings assigned to specific weeks. Presenters will act as discussants, pinpointing issues that are of special interest and raising questions for discussion.
The module will be delivered via:
2 hour weekly seminar.
-
-
Howarth, D.R. and Stavrakakis, Y. (2000) 'Introducing Discourse Theory and Political Analysis', in Discourse theory and political analysis: identities, hegemonies, and social change. Manchester: Manchester University.
-
Glynos, J. and Howarth, D.R. (2007)
Logics of critical explanation in social and political theory. Abington: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=205914.
-
Lorde, A. (2017) Your silence will not protect you. UK: Silver Press.
-
Gramsci, A., Hoare, Q. and Nowell-Smith, G. (1971)
Selections from the prison notebooks of Antonio Gramsci. London: Lawrence & Wishart. Available at:
https://muse.jhu.edu/books/9781909831926/.
-
Simon, R. (2015)
Gramsci's political thought: an introduction. Third edition. London: Lawrence & Wishart. Available at:
https://muse.jhu.edu/book/40155.
-
Hall, S. (1988)
The hard road to renewal: Thatcherism and the crisis of the left. London: Verso. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6663377.
-
Fraser, N. (2019)
Old Is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born. London: Verso Books. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5719361.
-
Ducrot, O. and Todorov, T. (1981) Encyclopedic dictionary of the sciences of language. Oxford: Blackwell.
-
-
-
Barthes, R. (1967) Elements of semiology. London: Cape.
-
Barthes, R., Lavers, A. and Reynolds, S. (2009) Mythologies. Rev. ed. London: Vintage.
-
-
Laclau, E. (1996) Emancipation(s). London: Verso.
-
Goodin, R.E., Pettit, P. and Pogge, T. (2007)
A companion to contemporary political philosophy. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell. Available at:
https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/doi/book/10.1002/9781405177245.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay 1 |
16/12/2024 |
40% |
| Coursework |
Essay 2 |
13/01/2025 |
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Jason Glynos, email: ljglyn@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Jason Glynos
Please contact govpgquery@essex.ac.uk
No
Yes
Yes
Dr Adrian Florea
University of Glasgow
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Available via Moodle
Of 12 hours, 12 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.