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Written texts provide an easily accessible basis not only for synchronic but also for diachronic studies. In this course, we will look at the structures and functions of contemporary written genres and compare them to their predecessors from Early Modern English times (i.e. the 16th century onwards). Our starting point will be an overview of selected classification systems of genres. Also, major approaches to the study of written texts (e.g. Pragmatics, Text linguistics, (Critical) Discourse Analysis) will be introduced. The major focus will then be on non-fictional sources, e.g. media texts, but also instructional genres, private documents etc. Students are invited to participate in the selection of the genres to be investigated. |
