Welcome to DISCOURS!

Wed Jan 6 19:44:33 UTC 1999

Please let us know you've joined the list by posting an introduction after
reading this message.

DISCOURS is an interdisciplinary forum for scholars from diverse fields to
discuss discourse theory and practice from a wide range of perspectives. We
define discourse studies broadly and welcome all scholars concerned with
the notion of discourse, including but not limited to those in the
disciplines and research areas of: anthropology, architecture, composition
studies, computer science, cultural studies, education, folklore, gender
studies, geography, history, information science, journalism, language and
literary studies, law, linguistics, music, performance studies, philosophy,
political science, psychology, race and ethnic studies, rhetoric,
sociology, women's studies.

We encourage the discussion of theoretical, methodological, practical, and
other issues related to the study of discourse, including such questions
as: What is discourse? How does it relate to other concepts such as text,
ideology, structure, culture? What do we mean by discourse studies? How do
various fields undertake the study of discourse? How can discourse be
investigated from an interdisciplinary perspective? What is gained and lost
in an interdisciplinary approach? Other appropriate postings include
announcements about upcoming events, publications, and so on relevant to
discourse studies and inquiries about issues related to discourse studies,
such as reference information, previous work on a particular topic, contact
information for a scholar, and the like.

In the interests of promoting dialogue across interdisciplinary boundaries,
after reading this message please introduce yourself with an initial
posting to the list describing your academic background, present position,
and research projects, as well as other relevant details.

Because subscribers come from many different fields, it is helpful to
define discipline-specific concepts and to provide brief citations for
pivotal texts where appropriate. In general, we ask that you gear your
messages to the widest possible audience.

DISCOURS is an unmoderated list sponsored by the program in Discourse
Studies in the Department of English at Texas A&M University, It is the
brainchild of Anthony Aristar, formerly of Texas A&M and now at Wayne State
University. We gratefully acknowledge his support and the technical support
of the LINGUIST List.

If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about DISCOURS, please
contact one of the listowners:

Mary Bucholtz (bucholtz at tamu.edu)
James Cornish (jwcornish at tamu.edu)
Chris Holcomb (chrish at unix.tamu.edu)
Marty Jacobsen (marty at linguistlist.org)