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Discourse Analysis as Theory and Method
Discourse Analysis as Theory and Method is a systematic introduction to discourse analysis as a body of theories and methods for social research. It brings together three central approaches, Laclau and Mouffe′s discourse theory, critical discourse analysis and discursive psychology, in order to establish a dialogue between different forms of discourse analysis often kept apart by disciplinary boundaries. The book introduces the three approaches in a clear and easily comprehensible manner, explaining the distinctive philosophical premises and theoretical perspectives of each approach as well as the methodological guidelines and tools they provide for empirical discourse analysis. The authors also demonstrate the possibilities for combining different discourse analytical and non-discourse analytical approaches in empirical study. Finally, they contextualize discourse analysis within the social constructionist debate about critical social research, rejecting the view that a critical stance is incompatible with social constructionist premises and arguing that critique must be an inherent part of social research.
230 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 9, 2016
This book was provided as an inspection copy by SAGE publishers.
This well-written, opinionated book makes for an unexpectedly entertaining read. The authors deftly summarise the controversies of discourse analysis in the Introduction chapter, and, in Chapter 2, move onto an accessible explanation of Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. I found this to be a clear and fascinating explanation of this under-used theory. Laclau and Mouffe combined a Marxist theory of the social field, and a structuralist theory of meaning, in their major work, Hegemony and Socialist Strategy (1985). They created a post-structuralist “discourse theory”, in which the social field is understood as a web of processes in which meaning is created. The authors use Laclau and Mouffe’s theory in a detailed analysis of a lonely hearts column, to illuminate how the subject and respondent create and critique identity and social hegemony. Chapter 3 outlines Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA), including the 5 features which are common between Fairclough’s approach, and other types of CDA. Fairclough’s own analysis of two job advertisements is presented, in order to illustrate how his technique can be used in practice. Chapter 4 outlines how discursive psychology can be used as a theory and method for research on communications, culture and the social field. Chapter 5 considers, and provides an example, of using multiple CDA approaches. The final chapter takes the reader through common objections to, and defences of, social constructionism. Ultimately, the final chapter, and the book as a whole, is a plea for social researchers to take a critical approach to their work, so as to contribute to the “unmasking of dominant, taken-for-granted understandings of reality”.
The discussion is wide-ranging and well-informed, with brief but insightful references to, amongst others, Vygotsky and Saussure on language, Gramsci on Marxism, Bourdieu on field theory and Foucault on power. This book is not a quick read, but is recommended for students wishing to learn, not just about CDA, but about the wider debates and theories of social constructionism.
Overall, the book works better as a primer on the theoretical aspects of CDA, rather than a “how to” guide on using CDA in practice. While there are short sections on methodological questions such as transcription choices, the book is strongest in its careful consideration of theoretical aspects. As such, the book would be more suitable for postgraduate researchers.
This well-written, opinionated book makes for an unexpectedly entertaining read. The authors deftly summarise the controversies of discourse analysis in the Introduction chapter, and, in Chapter 2, move onto an accessible explanation of Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. I found this to be a clear and fascinating explanation of this under-used theory. Laclau and Mouffe combined a Marxist theory of the social field, and a structuralist theory of meaning, in their major work, Hegemony and Socialist Strategy (1985). They created a post-structuralist “discourse theory”, in which the social field is understood as a web of processes in which meaning is created. The authors use Laclau and Mouffe’s theory in a detailed analysis of a lonely hearts column, to illuminate how the subject and respondent create and critique identity and social hegemony. Chapter 3 outlines Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA), including the 5 features which are common between Fairclough’s approach, and other types of CDA. Fairclough’s own analysis of two job advertisements is presented, in order to illustrate how his technique can be used in practice. Chapter 4 outlines how discursive psychology can be used as a theory and method for research on communications, culture and the social field. Chapter 5 considers, and provides an example, of using multiple CDA approaches. The final chapter takes the reader through common objections to, and defences of, social constructionism. Ultimately, the final chapter, and the book as a whole, is a plea for social researchers to take a critical approach to their work, so as to contribute to the “unmasking of dominant, taken-for-granted understandings of reality”.
The discussion is wide-ranging and well-informed, with brief but insightful references to, amongst others, Vygotsky and Saussure on language, Gramsci on Marxism, Bourdieu on field theory and Foucault on power. This book is not a quick read, but is recommended for students wishing to learn, not just about CDA, but about the wider debates and theories of social constructionism.
Overall, the book works better as a primer on the theoretical aspects of CDA, rather than a “how to” guide on using CDA in practice. While there are short sections on methodological questions such as transcription choices, the book is strongest in its careful consideration of theoretical aspects. As such, the book would be more suitable for postgraduate researchers.
July 12, 2014
Provides three different ways to analyse discourses and their implications in research. My intro into Discourse Analysis which led me into the lectures of Stuart Hall and furthermore led me to investigate deconstructions role as a tool in.... ugh hum.... "deconstructing" discourses.
February 11, 2010
As the title indicates, this book does a great job comparing/contrasting various approaches to discourse analysis and moves beyond just the theory in order to demonstrate how to conduct empirical discourse analysis research.
February 19, 2019
Another curriculum book. Very interesting and a good intro book.
March 30, 2020
قرأت هذا الكتاب مترجما إلى العربية من قبل شوقي بوعناني، وانتهيت منه في غضون يومين، الترجمة فائقة والكتاب رائع.
December 15, 2022
Probably the best book about discourse analysis that I have read. And I have read a few by now.
April 8, 2021
Denne introduksjonsboken var mer lovende i begynnelsen enn mot enden. Likevel er den god idet boken gir en god oversikt av diverse diskursteoretikere, samt kommer med flere eksempler som anvender de ulike teoriene som presenteres. De to siste delene av boken var ikke særlig bra, ettersom mye repeterte seg og det var skrevet på en nokså overforenklet måte. Likevel kan man ikke klandre forfatterne, siden bokens formål nettopp er å presentere diskursteori til et bredt publikum.
December 19, 2014
Bra metodbok.
March 18, 2018
Bra referenslitteratur att ha i hyllan, känns det som.
July 9, 2020
Bra bok som ingång i diskursanalys, att återanvända till.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews