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Health, Discourse and Communication

Key information

  • Module code:

    6SSEL043

  • Level:

    6

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

Health, Discourse and Communication examines language, discourse and communication across different contexts within medicine, illness and health. We will explore some of the dominant policy and media discourses of health, focussing on issues such as mental health, relationships of power between patients and health professionals, the framing of personal risk and responsibility in health promotion, and the representations of emerging diseases. We will also examine the discursive negotiation of personal experiences of health problems, for example through narrative reconstructions of illness experiences, positioning of 'sick' and 'healthy' people, doctor-patient interactions and the use of online forums for advice and support. The module will also cover a range of approaches and methods that are used in health discourse analysis, such as illness narratives, discursive psychology, conversation analysis, discourse metaphors, and critical discourse analysis.

Assessment details

Coursework

  1. 3,000 word essay (85%)
  2. Poster (15%) 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should:

  • Have a good understanding of the range and types of issues in the field of health that are studied through language and discourse analysis
  • Have a good understanding of the key features of a variety of discourse analysis frameworks that are commonly applied to health contexts
  • Be able to critique language and discourse analysis frameworks and their application to data from a range of health contexts
  • Be able to analyse ‘real-life’ language and discourse data from health contexts, using some of the frameworks covered in the module

Subject areas

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.