Theories of Discourse: An Introduction - Softcover

Macdonell, Diane

  • 3.65 out of 5 stars
    17 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780631148395: Theories of Discourse: An Introduction
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0631148396 ISBN 13: 9780631148395
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 1991

Synopsis

This is the first critical introduction to the theories of discourse advanced by Foucault, Althusser, PUcheux and Hindess and Hirst. Discourse theory proposes that in our daily activities the way we speak and write is shaped by the structures of power in our society, and that because our society is defined by struggle and conflict our discourses reflect and create conflicts. The words, expressions and forms of knowledge in institutions (schools and universities, the church and the media) become political as they are traversed and rearranged by the pressure of forces. Diane Macdonell reveals the various lines of thought in recent work on discourse, showing how the central conception of discourse as a political and social tool could diversify into several different critical theories and ideologies.

This book is of particular interest as it calls for a reappraisal of Althusser whose work, Macdonell argues, has been wrongly debunked. This is the first overview and introduction to a notoriously complex area of critical theory, an area which is at the heart of debates about form, meaning, ideology, literary criticism and the humanities.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Diane Macdonell is the author of Theories of Discourse: An Introduction, published by Wiley.

From the Back Cover

This is the first critical introduction to the theories of discourse advanced by Foucault, Althusser, PUcheux and Hindess and Hirst. Discourse theory proposes that in our daily activities the way we speak and write is shaped by the structures of power in our society, and that because our society is defined by struggle and conflict our discourses reflect and create conflicts. The words, expressions and forms of knowledge in institutions (schools and universities, the church and the media) become political as they are traversed and rearranged by the pressure of forces. Diane Macdonell reveals the various lines of thought in recent work on discourse, showing how the central conception of discourse as a political and social tool could diversify into several different critical theories and ideologies.

This book is of particular interest as it calls for a reappraisal of Althusser whose work, Macdonell argues, has been wrongly debunked. This is the first overview and introduction to a notoriously complex area of critical theory, an area which is at the heart of debates about form, meaning, ideology, literary criticism and the humanities.

From the Inside Flap

This is the first critical introduction to the theories of discourse advanced by Foucault, Althusser, PUcheux and Hindess and Hirst. Discourse theory proposes that in our daily activities the way we speak and write is shaped by the structures of power in our society, and that because our society is defined by struggle and conflict our discourses reflect and create conflicts. The words, expressions and forms of knowledge in institutions (schools and universities, the church and the media) become political as they are traversed and rearranged by the pressure of forces. Diane Macdonell reveals the various lines of thought in recent work on discourse, showing how the central conception of discourse as a political and social tool could diversify into several different critical theories and ideologies.

This book is of particular interest as it calls for a reappraisal of Althusser whose work, Macdonell argues, has been wrongly debunked. This is the first overview and introduction to a notoriously complex area of critical theory, an area which is at the heart of debates about form, meaning, ideology, literary criticism and the humanities.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Publication date
1991
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0631148396
ISBN 13 
9780631148395
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
156
Rating
  • 3.65 out of 5 stars
    17 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780631148388: Theories of discourse: An introduction

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0631148388 ISBN 13:  9780631148388
Publisher: B. Blackwell, 1986
Hardcover