Political Discourse Analysis (Obeng) (LING 700)

This course explores communication in political contexts. We will
discuss how political discourse is enacted, how it both constitutes
and reflects the society within which it occurs, and how political
actors engaged in political discourse either position themselves or
are positioned through various discursive constructions. Although we
will examine political discourse primarily from general linguistic
orientations, we will also examine such discourses within other
humanistic and social scientific frameworks like critical discourse
analysis, interactional sociolinguisitcs, text linguistics,
conversation analysis, ethnography of speaking/communication,
language and power, etc. We shall examine discursive strategies used
in international diplomacy, party propaganda, slogans, congressional
or parliamentary sessions, cabinet meetings, state of the union
addresses, and so forth. Political actors whose language will be
examined are: presidents and vice-presidents, diplomats, politically-
oriented professional journalists, members of Congress,
parliamentarians, senators, governors, and action group members.

Important course topics include: Political Speech Making, Evasion,
propaganda, slogans and truth/lies in politics; imitation and
influence, avoidance, vagueness, indirectness, pronoun usage, and
rhetoric.  Other topics include: The speaking the unspeakable in
politics, political protests, literary genres in politics (metaphor,
analogy, innuendo, circumlocution/spin, and exaggeration); Symbolism
in politics (posters, props, and costumes); Political campaigning
(manifestoes, stroking, and name-calling); reporting election
results; political correctness; censorship and free speech; the
Language labeling; and language policy and implementation issues.