The aim of this course is to examine and analyze samples of spoken discourse. It looks at speech acts, genres, the functions of speech and some general features of spoken English (e.g. backchannels, modality, deixis, hedges, intensifiers, etc). It also gives an overview of the main differences of verbal and nonverbal communication. The samples of spoken discourse are mainly from the Internet and TV (political speeches, films and series).

On completing the course students will be able to: 

• identify and critically discuss specific linguistic elements/structures in natural oral texts
• apply key linguistic concepts to the analysis and production of oral texts 
• develop a clear grasp of oral discourse structures, functions and forms
• employ all the above to communicate more strategically and effectively across a wide spectrum of registers
• develop and increase student initiative and confidence to deliver presentations and overall participation to class discussions

1. Introduction and course overview - Introduction to features of Oral Discourse
2. Skills in Oral Communication
3. Features of Oral Interaction Ι
4. Features of Oral Interaction ΙΙ
5. Conversation Analysis: Context and Register Macrostructures
6. Verbal vs Non-VerbalCommunication
7. Analyzing Oral Discourse-Understanding Implicit Meaning
8. Grice's Maxims-Pragmatics and Oral Communication 
9. Speech Act Theory 
10. Practice: Student Oral Presentations
11. Practice: Student Oral Presentations
12. Practice: Student Oral Presentations
13. Practice: Student Oral Presentations
14. Practice: Student Oral Presentations

Bradbury, A. Successful Presentation Skills. London: Cogan Page, 2006.

Brown, G. Speakers, Listeners, and Communication: Explorations in Discourse Analysis. 1995.

Brown, G, and Yule, G., Discourse Analysis. Cambridge University Press, 1993.

Blakemore, Diane. Understanding Utterances. Blackwell, 1992.

Burns, A. and Coffin, C. (eds.) Analysing English in a Global Context. London: Routledge, 2001.

Coulthard, M. An Introduction to Discourse Analysis. (2nd edn.). Harlow: Longman, 1985.

Coulthard, M. (ed.) Advances in Spoken Discourse Analysis. London: Routledge, 1992.

Jaworski, A. and Coupland, N. (eds.) The Discourse Reader. London: Routledge, 1999.

McCarthy, M. Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991.

Rocci, Andrea, and Louis de Saussure. Verbal Communication. De Gruyter Mouton, 2016.

Speer, S., and E. Stokoe. Conversation and Gender. [Electronic Resource]. Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Tannen, Deborah, et al. The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Wiley Blackwell, 2015.

The course is delivered in an interactive lecture format with input and short tasks that provide opportunities for student engagement and discussion. There are also opportunities for team-work in the practical activities, where students undertake a project of oral discourse analysis.

Use of PPT slides  / Use of E-class  and E-assignments / Students deliver a presentation with the aid of PPT slides 

Group oral presentation and written summary of presentation