Introduction to Text Analysis
Course code
GRR6808.HT
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Tekstianalüüs ja -loome
Course title in English
Introduction to Text Analysis
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2024/2025 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2025/2026 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
Distinguishes between different types and functions of texts and communication.
Is able to read texts critically.
Is able to mediate and convey texts.
Is able to use multimedia and artificial intelligence critically, ethically, and constructively.
Is able to create various types of texts.
Is able to read texts critically.
Is able to mediate and convey texts.
Is able to use multimedia and artificial intelligence critically, ethically, and constructively.
Is able to create various types of texts.
Brief description of the course
The course focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of communication and text production, offering an interdisciplinary approach to different communication models, text genres, and discourse analysis. The coursework integrates theoretical foundations with practical assignments to develop students' ability to analyze, interpret, and create various types of texts, using both traditional and modern media platforms.
Course Topics
What is Communication?
The concept and distinction between communication and interaction (Roman Jakobson’s and Dell Hymes’ models).
Functions of communication and their role in different contexts (Jakobson’s communication model).
Text Genres and Their Applications
Characteristics of descriptive, narrative, and argumentative texts and their use in different types of texts (journalism, academic articles, advertising texts, press releases, literary works, etc.).
Discourse Analysis from an Ideological Perspective
Analysis of different text types using critical discourse analysis (Van Dijk):
"Us vs. Them" contrasts in media and texts,
The voice of authority and its influence,
Control of space, time, and topic in communication.
Practical Assignments and Creative Tasks
Creating a Popular Science Text Based on a Research Article – Group work involving the production of a podcast, multimedia project, or journalistic article.
Producing a Narrative Functional Text – Developing an advertisement, brand story, or other narrative text based on a literary or artistic text, incorporating multimedia elements (group work).
Individual Writing Project – Creating a text in a selected genre (descriptive, narrative, or argumentative) in the target language.
Course Topics
What is Communication?
The concept and distinction between communication and interaction (Roman Jakobson’s and Dell Hymes’ models).
Functions of communication and their role in different contexts (Jakobson’s communication model).
Text Genres and Their Applications
Characteristics of descriptive, narrative, and argumentative texts and their use in different types of texts (journalism, academic articles, advertising texts, press releases, literary works, etc.).
Discourse Analysis from an Ideological Perspective
Analysis of different text types using critical discourse analysis (Van Dijk):
"Us vs. Them" contrasts in media and texts,
The voice of authority and its influence,
Control of space, time, and topic in communication.
Practical Assignments and Creative Tasks
Creating a Popular Science Text Based on a Research Article – Group work involving the production of a podcast, multimedia project, or journalistic article.
Producing a Narrative Functional Text – Developing an advertisement, brand story, or other narrative text based on a literary or artistic text, incorporating multimedia elements (group work).
Individual Writing Project – Creating a text in a selected genre (descriptive, narrative, or argumentative) in the target language.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- explains what communication is according to Roman Jakobson's model and what interaction is according to Dell Hymes' SPEAKING model, identify the functions of communication according to Roman Jakobson,
- differentiates text genres (descriptive, narrative, and argumentative) and their characteristics in target-language texts;
- critically analyzes journalistic and scientific texts from the perspective of the ideologies they contain;
- analyzes cultural texts from the perspective of the structure of artistic texts;
- creates a popular science text based on a scientific article;
- creates a narrative practical text based on a literary text;
- produces at least one text in a selected genre (descriptive, narrative, or argumentative) in the target language.
- explains what communication is according to Roman Jakobson's model and what interaction is according to Dell Hymes' SPEAKING model, identify the functions of communication according to Roman Jakobson,
- differentiates text genres (descriptive, narrative, and argumentative) and their characteristics in target-language texts;
- critically analyzes journalistic and scientific texts from the perspective of the ideologies they contain;
- analyzes cultural texts from the perspective of the structure of artistic texts;
- creates a popular science text based on a scientific article;
- creates a narrative practical text based on a literary text;
- produces at least one text in a selected genre (descriptive, narrative, or argumentative) in the target language.
Teacher
Aleksandra Ljalikova
Study programmes containing that course