Course overview
This course explores the strategic use of language in both virtual and non-virtual contexts, with a focus on areas critical to individuals, communities, organisations, security services and governments. The course examines how language shapes opinion, influences behaviour, and serves as a tool for both cooperation and conflict. Learners will analyse real-world examples of language, learn about the socio-linguistic underpinnings of persuasive communication, augmenting their capabilities to identify risk and analyse the (mis)use of language to influence individuals, institutions and the broader socio-political landscapes.
Course learning outcomes
- Explicate the socio-linguistic underpinnings of persuasive communication
- Employ rigorous techniques of inquiry to analyse strategic uses of language in virtual and non-virtual environments
- Identify and communicate risks and affordances of linguistic persuasion for a diverse audiences
- Critically reflect on the ethical implications of linguistic persuasion for individuals, institutions and the broader socio-political landscapes