Course detail

Analysis of Professional Discourse

FEKT-BPC-DANAcad. year: 2024/2025

The objective of the course is to explain and practise the methods of discourse analysis in English and use the results of the analytical processes in translations, production and comprehension of different types of texts, primarily texts on electrical engineering.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

Intermediate / Upper-intermediate English and general linguistic background required.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Evaluation will be based on a short essay concerning the characteristic features of a chosen text using a selected and specified analytical frame. Spoken part of the exam will have the form of a colloquy. Discussion will concern the theoretical issues dealt with in the lectures. Students are also required to deliver a presentation on a given topic in the course of the semester.
The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Aims

Students will learn the methods of analysis of professional English texts based on functional analytical framework. They should be able to determine the qualities of the analyzed discourse and use their knowledge in translating, production of texts and comprehension.
The students will learn how to analyze a specific variety of a language in a variety of relevant methods. They will be able to determine the rules and qualities of the analysed discourse and apply their knowledge in translating, production of texts and their interpretation.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

WIDDOWSON, Henry. Discourse Analysis. Oxford: OUP, 2007. ISBN 9780194389211. (EN)
GEE, James Paul. How to do Discourse Analysis: A Toolkit. Routledge, 2011. ISBN 9780415725576. (EN)
ZMRZLÁ, Petra. Discourse under investigation: a brief summary of theoretical background and concepts. Brno: Vysoké učení technické v Brně, 2022. ISBN 978-80-214-6056-0. (EN)

Recommended reading

KRHUTOVÁ, Milena. The language of electrical engineering as a special province. Brno: Akademické nakladatelství CERM, 2007. ISBN 978-80-7204-562-4. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-APE Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

    • Introduction
    • Discourse, context, and text; Discourse analysis
    • Analytical framework; Functional sentence perspective
    • Co-operative principle; Spoken and written discourse
    • Text, types of textu, Intertextuality
    • Genre and style
    • Language variation; Register and dialect
    • Functions of language
    • Cohesion and coherence
    • Communicative convergence; Sense relations; Figurative language
    • Academic discourse
    • Colloquy
 

Language exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

    • Introduction
    • Discourse, context, and text; Discourse analysis
    • Analytical framework; Functional sentence perspective
    • Co-operative principle; Spoken and written discourse
    • Text, types of textu, Intertextuality
    • Genre and style
    • Language variation; Register and dialect
    • Functions of language
    • Cohesion and coherence
    • Communicative convergence; Sense relations; Figurative language
    • Academic discourse
    • Colloquy