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78294-01 - Research seminar: Language Body and Violence in Interaction (4 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Ann Weatherall (ann.weatherall@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Family violence is a pervasive problem that is primarily one of male violence against their female partners and children. This course explores how discursive psychology and conversation analysis study language and gendered violence. A focus on action is central to both approaches. The core theoretical principles underpinning discursive psychology and conversation analysis will be illustrated through discussions of data extracts drawn from audio and video recordings in diverse institutional settings where violence is being reported and discussed, including calls to the police, cross-examination in rape trials and personal safety training where self-defence against gendered attacks is being taught. |
| Learning objectives | The first learning objective is to describe the core theoretical principles shaping how discursive psychology and conversation analysis approach social interactions where gendered violence is a relevant matter. The second learning objective is to analyse the language being used in a data extract where gendered violence is being reported or discussed. The final learning objective is to explain what an additional consideration of the interplay of language and the body brings to an analysis of gendered violence. |
| Bibliography | Tennent, E., & Weatherall, A. (2021). Feminist conversation analysis. Examining violence against women. In J. Angouri ,& J. Baxter (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of language, gender and sexuality (258-271). Routledge. A bibliography of key readings will be provided in class as a resource for further study and for the assessment. |
| Comments | Blockseminar |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 10.02.2026 | 09.00-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 105 |
| Wednesday 11.02.2026 | 09.00-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 105 |
| Thursday 12.02.2026 | 09.00-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 105 |
| Modules |
General Linguistics: Recommendations (PhD subject: General Linguistics) Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Linguistique française (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Research in English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Spécialisation en linguistique française (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Module: Language and Society (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Module: Language as Process (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Module: Research and Extension (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Prepare a report of around 1000 words. The text will briefly describe the theoretical and methodological approach being applied to a data extract discussed in class where gendered violence is relevant. It will then apply the approach and produce an analytic commentary of the extract. A short conclusion will evaluate the insights into language, body and violence the analysis illuminates. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaften |