The Language of Politics

Instructor: Richard McKinnon, Ph.D.
Email: mckinnon.rick@comcast.net
Time: Wed. 5:30 am. – 9:30 pm.
Classroom: Sem II A3107 (first class – 4/4/07)

Course Description: Values are often  encoded in language in such a variety of different ways, it is often difficult to understand what is being debated.  This course will explore the use of language in politics and the underlying values driving the conflict. An analysis of identity politics will provide a framework that we will apply to the overall polarization in discourse, as well as specific topics such race, culture, gender, class, social and economic justice, imperialism, science, and religion.  We will examine the powerful resonation that occurs between the underlying values that people hold and the memes that exploit that energy.

Readings:

Readings will be posted on the course website:

http://www2.evergreen.edu/languageofpolitics/ 

Web Resources:

http://www.linguist.org/
http://www.sil.org/linguistics/
http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/publications/files/

Course Requirements: In addition to contributing to class discussion, participants will be required to complete weekly study guides. Study guides will include exercises, questions for discussion, analytical problems, and essential concepts. Participants will work on exercises in small groups during class and will individually complete (in writing) the assignments detailed in each study guide and return their work the following week. Each participant’s work will be evaluated based on the following components:
• Contribution to discussion of readings.
• Completion of study guides.
• Peer-reviewed self-assessment.
Each participant will bring a written self-assessment on the 9th week, describing in detail how s/he has progressed in meeting the goals and objectives of the course as outlined on the first day of class. This self-assessment will be shared and discussed within a peer group. Participants will then bring a revised version on the 10th week for submission to the instructor. The self-assessment will constitute the most comprehensive description of the participant’s work, and will contribute to the participant’s course evaluation for the quarter.