Course summary

The MA in Discourse Studies gives you the opportunity to engage closely with up-to-date developments in Discourse Studies. The programme includes three core modules designed to give you a solid grounding in the key theories, methods and applications of Discourse Studies; and one core module on Research Methods in Linguistics and English Language, which provides an essential grounding in the research skills you will be using in the programme. You will develop skills in discourse analysis drawing on a range of methodological sources including pragmatics and conversation analysis, argumentation theory, functional grammar, cognitive linguistics and corpus linguistics. You will have the opportunity to apply these skills in analysing a range of spoken and written data from different social contexts including politics, media, literature and education as part of your coursework. With research groups in corpus studies, discourse studies, language testing, literacy studies, second language learning and teaching, the opportunities for learning extend far beyond the classroom. Past students tell us that the opportunity to participate in the various activities of our research centres and groups is one of the most valuable aspects of studying in the department. This programme requires you to complete a 12,500-word dissertation relating to any area of Discourse Studies that we teach. Working on your dissertation will help you develop valuable research and transferrable skills regardless of whether you consider continuing to doctoral studies or progress in your chosen career. You may opt to complete an extended dissertation (20,000-25,000 words) subject to satisfactory performance on the programme.