[ecrea] Applying Discourse Theory: Politics, Ideology, Populism - Course at the Essex Summer School

Applying Discourse Theory: Politics, Ideology, Populism - Course at the 
Essex Summer School
24.07.2017-04.08.2017
University of Essex, UK

Course Lecturers
Jason Glynos (University of Essex)
Yannis Stavrakakis (Aristotle University)

Course Outline
A central claim of discourse theory is that meaning, subjectivity, and 
agency are constructed within relational structures that are shaped and 
re-shaped through political struggle. This course introduces the basic 
concepts of poststructuralist discourse theory, understood as a 
distinctive, qualitative approach to critical empirical research. The 
course situates this approach in relation to competing approaches to 
social and political analysis that take discourse and meaning seriously, 
and contextualises it also in relation to key debates in the philosophy 
of natural and social science.

The main aim of the course, however, is to address the challenging 
question of ‘applying’ discourse theory to empirical phenomena in the 
name of understanding, explanation, and critique. Drawing inspiration 
from poststructuralism and psychoanalysis, it serves as a forum to 
discuss research strategies that are consonant with the field of 
discourse theory, and outlines conceptual frameworks that can be 
employed in the analysis of concrete discourses and practices. A range 
of concepts and themes are examined with particular reference to the 
work of thinkers such as Ernesto Laclau, Chantal Mouffe, Antonio 
Gramsci, Michel Foucault, and Slavoj Žižek.

Such concepts and themes are considered from the point of view of 
methodology and research strategy, and include discourse and practice, 
hegemony and antagonism, politics and dislocation, performativity and 
subjectivity, fantasy and ideology, democracy and populism. It uses 
empirical cases to illustrate broad methodological and theoretical 
points, from general considerations regarding qualitative methods 
appropriate to poststructuralist discourse theory, to more focused 
considerations of rhetorical, ethnographic, participatory, and 
psycho-social dimensions of research, including the place and role of 
the analyst in the process of research. The illustrations draw on 
organizational and media practices, policy discourses, populist 
movements, and more besides. As part of this course participants are 
invited to present and thematise their own research topics and proposals.

Discussion of Participant’s Research Projects
Participants are encouraged to submit a short 1,500 word outlines of 
their own research interests and projects, and the sorts of challenges 
being faced, methodological or otherwise. These outlines should be 
emailed to both the course instructors at least one week before the 
start of the course, so that they can be built into the programme. Time 
is allocated at the end of each week for collective discussion of 
participant research topics and proposals.

Course Aims and Objectives
Participants will become familiar with the basic assumptions, concepts 
and logics of poststructuralist discourse theory, exploring their 
implications for conducting social and political analysis and analyzing 
policy discourses. At the end of the course, participants will:
• be conversant with major literatures and debates in the field of 
discourse analysis;
• have acquired a solid grounding in poststructuralist discourse theory 
and its application to social and political analysis and critique;
• be well-grounded in theoretical and methodological issues arising in 
this field;
• be familiar with key dimensions of critical empirical research 
relevant to the design of a research strategy in this field;
• finish with a keen sense of the critical role that discourse plays 
both in theory and in social and political practice.

Course Overview
http://essexsummerschool.com/summer-school-facts/courses/complete-2017-course-list/2i-applying-discourse-theory/

To Apply
http://essexsummerschool.com/application/

General Information about Essex Summer School
http://essexsummerschool.com/summer-school-facts/

Contact person: Melanie Sawers (Administrative Director)
email: (mels /at/ essex.ac.uk)


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