Culture And Power Challenging Discourses

This edited volume brings together leading international researchers from across the social sciences to examine the theoretical premises, methodological options and critical potentials of the Essex School of discourse analysis, founded on the work of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe. In doing so, it presents a clear picture of a poststructuralist and post-foundational research program to postdisciplinary discourse research. Divided into three parts, it begins by elaborating the ontological, theoretical and methodological foundations of the Essex School’s approach to discourse analysis. The second part provides empirical case studies showing how the Essex School research program informs and instructs empirical discourse research. In the concluding third part authors explain how and with what possible consequences this strand of discourse research contributes to social practices of critique. It offers a crucial contribution to the further methodologization and operationalization of the Essex School’s approach so as to make it a viable alternative to discourse-analytical approaches that take dominant positions in today’s ‘field of discourse studies’. The book's transdisciplinary focus will attract readers who use discourse analysis in all areas of the social sciences and humanities, particularly applied linguistics, cultural anthropology, sociology, philosophy and history.

This multidisciplinary volume brings together wide-ranging empirical research that goes behind the scenes of diverse organizations dealing with business, politics, law, media, education, and sports to unravel stereotypes of discursive leadership practices as they unfold in situ. It includes contributions that explore how leadership discourse is impacted by increasing pressures of “glocalization” (the need to communicate across cultures and languages), “mediatization” (leaving ubiquitous digital traces), standardization (with quality management programmes negotiating organizational procedures), mobility (endless fast-paced long distance synchronization) and acceleration (permanent co-adaption and change). The discussion of purposefully chosen case studies moves beyond questions of who is a leader and what leaders do, to how leadership stereotypes are being challenged in various communities of practice, and thereby making change possible. Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches are used to get deeper insights into the competing, multi-voiced, controversial and complex identities and relationships enacted in leadership discourse practices.

In the light of current digital advancements, the discourse surrounding digitalization has increased in importance, and the International Scientific Conference “Social Discourse in Challenging Times” reflected upon this trend. Coordinated by the University of Economics in Bratislava, this event was organized within the ODDEA project, at the University of Economics in Bratislava, between May 17th-20th, 2023. A significant attribute of the conference was its hybrid form, utilizing both face-to-face interaction at the University premises, and MS TEAMS for virtual involvement. This conference focused on the exploration of two fundamental areas of study. The first explored interdisciplinary topics of the current discourse, while the second dived into the digital transformation occurring within the EU and Southeast Asian countries. The second area was specifically devoted to presentations of research findings from the first work package of the ODDEA project. This not only brought to the forefront the work of the project's researchers, but it also fostered synergies within the consortium, enhancing the project’s implementation. The value and impact of the ODDEA project are also reflected within this volume. From discussions around current discourses to the exploration of the digitalization pathways, this collection represents a milestone in our journey towards a digital society research that would be both inclusive and resilient. These presentations provide insights into the selected problems of digital transformation and are invaluable contributions to the understanding of digitalization during these challenging times. Our sincere appreciation goes out to the researchers, contributors, reviewers and the academic community who have made this significant contribution possible. We hope that this volume will fuel further discussions, inspire additional research, and drive innovative breakthroughs in digitalization and interdisciplinary studies.

In Cultural Rights in International Law and Discourse, Pok Yin S. Chow explains why the very understanding of ‘culture’ as described in international human rights law failed to capture and address the cultural concerns of groups and communities worldwide.

In response to the cultural challenges in society and scholarship, this handbook presents the conceptions, assumptions, principles, methods, topics and issues in the studies of cultural forms of human communication—cultural discourses—by experts from around the world. A culturalist programme in communication studies (CS), cultural discourse studies (CDS), as represented in this handbook, is a new current of thought in human and social science and a form of academic activism, but above all, it is a fresh paradigm of research committed to enhancing cultural harmony and prosperity on the one hand and facilitating intellectual plurality and innovation on the other hand. This handbook is the first of its kind; it is concerned with the identities of, and interactions between, the world’s diverse cultural communities through locally-grounded and globally-minded, culturally conscious and critical approaches to their communicative practice. Contributors apply such insights, precepts and techniques, not merely to discover and describe past and present communication, but also to design and guide future communication. This handbook is ideal for scholars and students interested in cultural aspects and issues of communication/discourse, as well as researchers of other fields looking to apply cultural discourse methods to their own projects.

This book examines dominant discourses in values education globally. It critiques dominant discourses and debates pertaining to values education and cultural identity, set against the current backdrop of growing social stratification and unequal access to quality education. It addresses discourses concerning globalisation, ideologies and the state, as well as approaches to values education in schools. The book explores the ambivalent and problematic connections between the state, globalisation and values education. It also explores conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches applicable to research on values education, multiculturalism and identity politics. Drawing on diverse paradigms, ranging from critical theory to globalisation, the book focuses on globalisation, ideology and values education and critically examines recent research dealing with cultural diversity and its impact of identity politics. Given the need for a multiple perspective approach, authors from diverse backgrounds offer a wealth of insights, contributing to a more holistic understanding of the nexus between values education, multiculturalism and national identity. With contributions from key scholars worldwide, the book should be required reading for a broad spectrum of users, including policy-makers, academics, graduate students, education policy researchers, administrators and practitioners.

The chapters collected in this book generate discussion about the intersections of feminisms and rhetorics, as well as the ways in which those intersections are productive. This collection focuses on the locations of feminist rhetorics, the various discourses that invoke “feminism” or “feminist,” and the scholarship that provokes, challenges, and deliberates issues of key concern. In focusing on challenge and location, this collection acknowledges the academic and socio-discursive spaces that feminisms, and rhetorics on or about feminisms, inhabit. Feminism, but also women and what it means to be a woman, is a signifier under siege in public discourse. The chapters included here speak to the challenges and diversities of feminist rhetoric and discourse in public and private life, in the academy, and in the media. The authors represented in this collection present potential consequences for communities in the academy and beyond, spanning international, geopolitical, racial, and religious contexts.