Discourse analysis and the study of mass communication: an introduction to Conversation Analysis (CA), critical discourse analysis (CDA), French and Anglo-American pragmatics, discursive psychology and post-structuralist perspectives on discourse

I present an overview of key approaches in the study of discourse while reflecting on the specific ways in which they relate to media studies and the study of mass communication. Whereas some approaches - notably CDA and to a lesser extent Essex style discourse theory - have made their way to the field of (mass) communication and media studies, other remain less popular. During this talk, I hope to demonstrate the richness of the trans-disciplinary field of discourse studies for communication scientists. While linguistic and textual approaches to discourse offer a rich conceptual toolbox for media studies, it is important to keep in mind that linguistic tools come with theoretical baggage. To engage with such approaches in the context of media studies implies that communication scientists may have to call some of their assumptions regarding meaning and communication into question. For those who are willing to take the risk, a fascinating landscape of discourse studies awaits.