[Commlist] CfP — PhD Course on Discourse Theory, Prague

Call for Papers
PhD Course on Discourse Studies and Method: Using Discourse-Theoretical 
Analysis and Discursive-Material Analysis

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 number of 20 participant slots are available. 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.

REGISTRATION

To register 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 this form <https://forms.gle/ADvQ4Fhui5D7Daak6> to submit 
your application. If you need assistance regarding registration, please 
get in touch with Mazlum Kemal Dağdelen, (mazlum.dagdelen /at/ fsv.cuni.cz)

The deadline for the application submission is 01 July 2025; the 
applicants will be notified about the results by 31 July 2025. The 
accepted applicants will receive further details for 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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