LG484-6-AU-CO:
Conversation and Social Interaction
2020/21
Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 18 December 2020
15
10 June 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA QP10 English Language with Media Communication,
BA QP11 English Language with Media Communication (Including Year Abroad),
BA QP12 English Language with Media Communication (Including Placement Year)
Starting with a consideration of a wide range of interactional conduct, we explore how it is nevertheless possible, in the face of such variety, to make systematic interpretations based on our knowledge of conversational structure and standard assumptions of moral accountability in social life. The normative structures of the mainstream conversation analytic tradition will be examined. By looking ordinary conversation in a range of contexts, we shall investigate how actions are performed, identities constructed and context achieved through talk. We shall then consider how conduct which transcends the verbal (such as gaze and gesture) contributes to our presentation of ourselves in interaction with others; and finally we explore the relationship between grammar and interaction. The syllabus will cover:
* accountability in conversation
* the conversational sequence
* generic structures of conversation
* grammar and interaction
* constructing identity
* formulations in conversation
* the audience as co-author
* gaze and gesture in interaction
• To introduce students to the theories, concerns and methods of the mainstream conversation analytic tradition in its approach to spoken interaction
• To support students in knowing how to bring to bear a range of conceptual and analytical tools on the data of naturally-occurring talk
• To teach students how to transcribe naturally occurring interaction to the appropriate level of analytical detail
• To show how gaze and body movement interact with the production of language
• To enable students to undertake their own investigations of an aspect of conversational organization, using appropriate methods for the collection, transcription and analysis of data
By the end of this module, you will:
• Be familiar with the theories, concerns and methods of the mainstream conversation analytic tradition in its approach to spoken interaction
• Be able to bring to bear a range of conceptual and analytical tools on the data of naturally-occurring talk
• Be able to transcribe naturally occurring interaction to the appropriate level of analytical detail
• Be familiar with the means by which participants construct identities through talk
• Be familiar with the means by which gaze and body movement interact with the production of language
• Be able to undertake your own investigation of an aspect of conversational organisation, using appropriate methods for the collection, transcription and analysis of data
The syllabus will cover:
* accountability in conversation
* the conversational sequence
* generic structures of conversation
* grammar and interaction
* constructing identity
* formulations in conversation
* the audience as co-author
* gaze and gesture in interaction
Two-hour lecture/seminar per week, with audio and video data to analyse
- Schegloff, Emanuel A. (2007) Sequence organization in interaction: a primer in conversation analysis I, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Schegloff, E. A. (1997-04-01) 'Whose Text? Whose Context?', in Discourse & Society. vol. 8 (2) , pp.165-187
- Clift, Rebecca. (2005-11) 'Discovering order', in Lingua. vol. 115 (11) , pp.1641-1665
- Heritage, John. (1984) Garfinkel and ethnomethodology, Cambridge: Polity Press.
- Sidnell, Jack. (2010) Conversation analysis: an introduction, Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. vol. Language in society
- Goodwin, C. (2007-01-01) 'Participation, stance and affect in the organization of activities', in Discourse & Society. vol. 18 (1) , pp.53-73
- Clift, Rebecca. (2014-10-02) 'Visible Deflation: Embodiment and Emotion in Interaction', in Research on Language and Social Interaction. vol. 47 (4) , pp.380-403
- Clift, R.; Drew, P.; Hutchby, I. (c2009) 'Conversation Analysis', in The pragmatics of interaction, Philadelphia: John Benjamins Pub. Company. vol. Handbook of pragmatics highlights, 1877-654X, pp.40-54
- Schegloff, E.A. (1972) 'Notes on a conversational practice: formulating place', in Language and social context: selected readings, Harmondsworth: Penguin. vol. Penguin education
- John Heritage and Geoffrey Raymond. (2005) 'The Terms of Agreement: Indexing Epistemic Authority and Subordination in Talk-in-Interaction', in Social Psychology Quarterly: American Sociological Association. vol. 68 (1) , pp.15-38
- Clift, Rebecca. (2016) Conversation analysis, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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 |
04/01/2021 |
|
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
Dr Rebecca Clift, email: rclift@essex.ac.uk.
Dr. Rebecca Clift
Dr. R. Clift, Office: 4.317, Tel: 01206 872204, email: rclift@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Lynne Julie Cahill
University of Sussex
Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 388 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
388 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Linguistics
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.