Ideology and Discourse Analysis

Prerequisites

See Target group.

Compensations

• 5 cr of the study unit Y405. Advanced Studies in Research Methods (Masters level)
• 5 cr of the study unit Y601. Advanced Studies in Research Methods (Doctoral level)

Target group/Course level

Masters level (or doctoral) students in any field of politics (and social sciences). The course is part of the "Method_Basket" of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Objectives

To make a distinction with a variety of discourse theoretical approaches with a main focus on Laclauian discourse theory. Develop strong analytical skills, an ability to interpret and analyse texts, objects and wider political phenomena. Critically analyse underlying values of statements and phenomena. Learn to study politics as an object of both empirical and theoretical inquiry. Critically reflect on the consequences of the choice of methods for research and meaning-making in general. The essay will be demonstrating ability to grasp and analyse a specific topic in politics in a structured, well-argued and -referenced manner. This offers the basis for future research and understanding politics.

Content

Lectures:

• Part A – Discourse theory: the basics (16 January)

This part introduces the anti-foundationalist and poststructuralist methodology. It suggests the students to make the leap from a text-focused to the significance-focused and problem-oriented discourse analysis. This is how one moves towards a method of political science while dealing with “discourse”, even when tackling with different forms of texts.

• Session 1 – Discourse: from texts and discussion to political phenomena, from a word to meaning. Explorations of what is assumed, signified, and what is the problem represented to be?
• Session 2 – Basics of Laclau's discourse theory: “discourse is a set of elements with limits”

Part B – Application: theory in praxis (23 and 30 January)

This section deals with the key concepts of discourse theory and applies them in empirirical work.

• Session 3 – Key concepts of discourse theory: myth/imaginary, hegemony, signifiers.
• Session 4 - Key concepts of discourse theory II: political frontiers, political communities and identification.
• Session 5 – Applying discourse theory: study of existing applications in discourse theory from Argentina, South Africa, Austria, Hungary, to the UK.

Part C – Theory: focus on the background (6, 13, and 20 February)

This section briefly explores three avenues in discourse theory – from a discourse theory perspective. Each session offers a basis for further study.

• Session 6 – Deconstruction and discourse analysis (Derrida, Norval)
• Session 7 – Rhetoric and discourse analysis (Laclau, Skinner)
• ession 8 – Psychoanalytic approaches to discourse. E.g. concepts of trauma and jouissance (Lacan, Zizek, Stavrakakis)

Part C – Conclusions and future case studies (23 and 27 February)

The section deals with discourse theory in political analysis: besides the already existing research, the aim of these sessions is to combining discourse theory to the contemporary politics and student's research agendas. Overlaps with other frameworks of analysis.

• Session 9 – Political identities, parties and movements
• Session 10 – Political change

COURSE MATERIALS: There is a course reading folder in the Social Science library. When possible materials are provided in electronic format. Key reading (choose a book or two from the list to familiarise yourself):

• Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, Hegemony and Socialist Strategy, London, Verso 1985 (First or Second Edition)
• Ernesto Laclau, On Populist Reason, Verso: London 2005
• David Howarth, Discourse, Buckingham and Philadelphia: Open University Press 2000
• David Howarth, Aletta Norval and Yannis Stavrakakis, Discourse Theory and Political Analysis: identities, hegemonies and social change, Manchester: Manchester University, 2000
• David Howarth and Jakob Torfing, Discourse Theory in European Politics, Palgrave London: Macmillan, 2005
• Jacob Torfing, New Theories of Discourse: Laclau, Mouffe and Zizek, Oxford: Blackwell, 1999
• Anna Marie Smith, Laclau and Mouffe: the radical democratic imaginary, London: Routledge, 1998
• Jason Glynos, "The grip of ideology: a Lacanian approach to the theory of ideology" Journal of Political Ideologies, 6: 2, 2001, p. 191 - 214
• Vicki Squire "'Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain': New Labour on Nationality, Immigration and Asylum" in Journal of Political Ideologies, 10: 1, 2005, pp. 51-74.
• Norval, Aletta J., "Hegemony after deconstruction: the consequences of undecidability", Journal of Political Ideologies, 9: 2, 2004 p. 139-158.

ARTICLES (available electronically through Nelli at the University Library)

Relevant articles in Finnish: Emilia Palonen, ’Laclau ja Mouffe – diskurssiteoriaa ja radikaalia demokratiaa’, Kia Lindroos ja Suvi Soininen, toim., Politiikan nykyteoreetikkoja, Gaudeamus, 2008.

Course work and forms of study

Lectures with 20-minute participatory discussion (20 hours), course reading and 15 page (double-spaced) referenced essay (5 cr).

Grading

The course work will be graded on a scale from 0 to 5.

Course results and retake

The results of the course will be posted on the notice board of the Department by XX. If the course work is not accepted or if the student wishes to raise his/her grade, he/she should contact the teacher within one month after the publication of the results and discuss arrangements for rewriting course work.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

During the last session, students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the course to the lecturer and to fill in an anonymous evaluation form. During the course feedback can be given anonymously.

When giving feedback, please evaluate the contribution of the teacher, your own contribution, the contributions of other students and the possible contribution of the Department office to the success of the course.