The Power of Words: Critical Discourse Analysis - Detailseite

We live in exiting times: there are many political events all over the world that have an impact on our lives, or look at topics like climate change that keep us busy every day. The way we experience these big and important topics is through language. Language, though, is never objective, words are not neutral and we are constantly being (mis)led by words when we try to develop our own ‘independent’ opinions and beliefs.
In this seminar, we will work with Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and study the language in all kinds of contemporary texts (political speeches, newspaper articles, commercials, comedy shows, promotion material from NGOs, statements of public personae, etc.), on topics that are of interest for all participants of this course. We will analyse and compare these texts in the way they use rhetorical features, concepts of framing, etc. and become more aware of which ways are being used to manipulate our thoughts. As a future teacher, you will be able to practice and apply the knowledge and techniques you have learned in future high school English classes as well.

This seminar is part of linguistics.