DiscourseThe concept of discourse provokes considerable debate and is understood in a variety of ways in the contemporary social sciences. This text presents a comprehensive overview of the different conceptions and methods of discourse analysis, while setting out the traditions of thinking in which these conceptions have emerged. It surveys structuralist, post-structuralist and post-Marxist theory, and the author sets out a fresh approach to discourse analysis, drawing principally on the writings of Saussure, Levi-Strauss, Gramsci, Althusser, Foucault, Derrida, Laclau and Mouffe. He evaluates a number of pertinent criticisms of this approach, and explores ways in which discourse analysis can assist our understanding of identity formation, hegemony, and the relationship between structure and agency. |
Contents
Defining the Concept of Discourse | 1 |
Poststructuralism Deconstruction and Textuality | 35 |
Foucaults Archaeology of Discursive Practices | 48 |
Copyright | |
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Althusser Althusserian apartheid archaeological argues articulation assumptions Claude Lévi-Strauss conception of discourse conception of ideology concepts and logics constitute construction contexts contingent critical critique deconstruction Derrida develop différance discourse analysis discourse theory discursive formation discursive practices domination economic elements emergence empirical epistemological Ernesto Laclau essentialist evaluate existing false consciousness forms Foucault 1979a function genealogical Gramsci hegemonic hermeneutical historical human ideas identity instance institutions Jacques Derrida Laclau and Mouffe's language Lévi Lévi-Strauss linguistic Louis Althusser Marx Marxist theory meaning methodological Michel Foucault Moreover Mouffe Mouffe's conception mythemes myths non-discursive objects ontological particular Pêcheux perspective positions positivist possible post-Marxist post-structuralism post-structuralist problematization production relationship repressive hypothesis role Saussure Saussure's sexuality signs social agents social and political social practices social relations social sciences specific speech statements strategies stresses structuralist structures texts theoretical theorists theory of discourse tion totemism truth underlying words writing