GV988-7-FY-CO:
Ideology and Political Discourse

PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
The details
2024/25
Government
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
22 May 2022

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module introduces, develops, and critically engages key strands of poststructuralist discourse theory, including post-marxism, deconstruction, structural linguistics, 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, for which the categories of discourse and matter have become central.

Using the economy and related contemporary debates (e.g. about the global financial crisis and public service reforms) as a central theme and reference point, it engages with the work of scholars who draw on a wide range of sources, including psychoanalysis, post-Marxism, contemporary continental philosophy, and actor network theory, focusing on the analytical insights these perspectives generate, the visions they project, as well as their take on the prospects for political action and ideological critique.

Module aims

This module has two principal aims. First, it introduces, develops, and critically engages key strands of poststructuralist discourse theory, including post-marxism, deconstruction, structural linguistics, 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. Second, the module engages with a set of contemporary debates in political and social theory, for which the categories of discourse and matter have become central.

Using the economy and related contemporary debates (e.g. about the global financial crisis and public service reforms) as a central theme and reference point, it engages with the work of scholars who draw on a wide range of sources, including psychoanalysis, post-Marxism, contemporary continental philosophy, and actor network theory, focusing on the analytical insights these perspectives

Module learning outcomes

On completing this module, students should have:

1. a good understanding of different approaches to ideology and discourse analysis;

2. the ability to engage critically with the key texts and concepts discussed in the module;

3. the capacity to initiate independent research from a discourse theory perspective.

Module information

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.

Learning and teaching methods

2 hour weekly seminar.

Bibliography*

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

Additional coursework information

Students must write two essays, both of which are assessed. Apart from the usual seminar participation in discussion and debate, students are also assigned compulsory oral presentations, but these are not formally assessed. Students do not have a final examination for this module.

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

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Jason Glynos, email: ljglyn@essex.ac.uk.
Prof David Howarth, email: davidh@essex.ac.uk.
David Howarth/Jason Glynos
Module Supervisors: Jason Glynos, ljglyn@essex.ac.uk / David Howarth, davidh@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
No
Yes

External examiner

Dr Adrian Florea
University of Glasgow
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 40 hours, 40 (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.

 

Further information
Government

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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