This course introduces students to narrative analysis as an analytical framework for the exploration of research questions in sociolinguistics and applied linguistics. Most centrally, narrative analysis is used to explore questions of identity by examining how speakers construct their social worlds in and through telling stories. Narratives are also useful for examining ideologies on any number of topics. Because people tell narratives in their everyday interactions with others, researchers can also examine the role of stories in conversation and in various forms of institutional talk, including classrooms, courtrooms, clinics, and workplaces. This course will provide students with the foundation for analyzing narrative data by focusing on both ‘big stories,’ or, narratives which relate to speakers’ life histories, as well as ‘small stories,’ or narratives which take place in everyday settings. Students will be expected to contribute narrative data in the form of data workshops in class and to write a 20-page term paper or research proposal for a narrative study. Small assignments throughout the semester will offer training in data collection and analysis. A final presentation on a narrative analysis research project or proposal will also be required.
Required text: De Fina, Anna & Georgakopoulou, Alexandra. (2012). Analyzing narrative: Discourse and sociolinguistic perspectives. Cambridge University Press. (UHM e-book, or purchase on your own)