[Commlist] Call for candidates — Prague PhD Course on Discourse Studies and Method

We’re extending the application deadline for the Prague PhD Course on 
Discourse Studies and Method: Using Discourse-Theoretical Analysis and 
Discursive-Material Analysis. Limited spots still available!

New deadline for applications: 31 July 2025

https://culcorc.fsv.cuni.cz/phd-course-on-discourse-theory/

Course coordinator and leader: Nico Carpentier

Course credits: 5 credits

Course location: Centrum Voršilská, Charles University, Prague, Czech 
Republic

Dates: 03 – 07 November 2025

Contact person: Mazlum Kemal Dagdelen

Course Background and Rationale

The course aims to discuss two methods in the field of discourse 
studies: Discourse-theoretical analysis (DTA) and Discursive-material 
analysis (DMA). Both are grounded in so-called high theory, with 
discourse theory as its main starting point, but with elements of 
actor-network theory and new materialism. This course will start with an 
introduction to these theoretical models but will then move on to their 
analytical deployment in communication and media studies research.

Special attention will be spent on the creation of a theory-grounded 
analytical model to guide the research. Apart from attending lectures, 
participants will be expected to participate in both theoretical and 
research-driven workshops.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, successful students will be able to:

- have a deeper understanding of the field of discourse studies and, in 
particular, of its discourse-theoretical component;
- have a deeper understanding of the theoretical relationship between 
the discursive and the material;
- know how to translate discourse-theoretical models into analytical 
practice through the use of the notion of the sensitising concept 
(applied to discourse theory and to discourse-theoretical rereading of 
other theories);
- set up an analytical model for a discourse-theoretical analysis and a 
discursive-material analysis.

Teaching and Evaluation

The one-week course will be organised in 10 teaching slots, combining 
lectures and workshops. These workshops are partially theoretical 
(presenting an article or chapter) and partially research-driven 
(presenting an analytical model).

A certificate (with a grade “Pass”) is given after 1) attendance of a 
minimum of 8 meetings, 2) a working group theoretical presentation, and 
3) an individual case study presentation.

Available Participant Slots and Costs

A total of 20 participant slots are available. Following the first round 
of applications, only a limited number of places remain.

The participation fee is 50 euros and only covers course attendance. 
Participants are required to pay themselves for their travel and 
accommodation costs, and all other expenses.

Application and Registration

To apply for this course, the following three documents have to be 
submitted:

- A motivation letter
- A brief description/abstract of the ongoing (PhD) research (including 
the current stage of the research)
- A CV (including information about your university affiliation and your 
contact information)

Please use the form on the websiteto submit your application. If you 
need assistance regarding registration, please get in touch with Mazlum 
Kemal Dağdelen at <(mazlum.dagdelen /at/ fsv.cuni.cz)> (mazlum /dot/ dagdelen 
/at/ fsv /dot/ cuni /dot/ cz).

NEW DEADLINE: 31 July 2025

Applicants will be notified of results by 10 August 2025.

Accepted applicants will receive further instructions regarding 
registration and payment in due time.

Course Readings

Main Reading

Carpentier, Nico (2017) The Discursive-Material Knot: Cyprus in Conflict 
and Community Media Participation. New York: Peter Lang.

Secondary Readings

Butler, Judith (1993) Bodies that matter. On the discursive limits of 
‘sex’. New York, London: Routledge.
Dolphijn, Rick, van der Tuin, Iris (2012) New materialism: Interviews 
and cartographies. Ann Arbor: Open humanities press.
Glynos, Jason, Howarth, David (2007) Logics of critical explanation in 
social and political theory. London and New York: Routledge.
Howarth, David (2000) Discourse. Buckingham, Philadelphia: Open 
University Press.
Howarth, David (2012) “Hegemony, political subjectivity, and radical 
democracy”, in Simon Critchley and Oliver Marchart (eds.) Laclau: A 
critical reader. London: Routledge, pp. 256-276.
Howarth, David, Stavrakakis, Yannis (2000) “Introducing discourse theory 
and political analysis”, in David Howarth, Aletta J. Norval and Yannis 
Stavrakakis (eds.) Discourse theory and political analysis. Manchester: 
Manchester University Press, pp. 1-23.
Laclau, Ernesto, Chantal Mouffe (1985) Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: 
Towards a Radical Democratic Politics. London: Verso.
Latour, Bruno (2005) Reassembling the social. An introduction to 
Actor-network-theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mouffe, Chantal (2005) On the Political. London: Routledge.
Philips, Louise, Jørgensen, Marianne W. (2002) Discourse Analysis as 
Theory and Method. London: Sage.
Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty (1988) “Can the subaltern speak?”, in Cary 
Nelson and Lawrence Grossberg (eds.) Marxism and the Interpretation of 
Culture. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, pp. 271-313.
Torfing, Jacob (1999) New Theories of Discourse: Laclau, Mouffe, and 
Zizek. Oxford: Blackwell

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