This study aims to critically analyse and explore how social workers (operating in the adult social work practice domain) draw on wider social (and social work) discourses in accounting for the work that they do. Utilising purposeful samples of students and qualified social work practitioners, this exploratory study of discourses analyses the implications this has on the construction of the social work identity, role and practice (action). Driven by a series of research questions, the objectives of this research were: 1) To critically analyse and explore the discourses on which students and social work practitioners draw on in their accounts of social work practice; 2) To identify and critically analyse the subject positions and discursive practices (collective ways of speaking) of social workers in respect of these discourses; 3) To critically analyse how and in what way social workers at different stages of the career trajectory draw differently upon these discourses; 4) To critically analyse and evaluate the implications for practice and service users of the respondents’ subject positioning and the discursive practices that they employ; 5) Develop a critically reflexive method (model) for social work education and research in order to make recommendations for research, education and critical social work practice (in the context of self-awareness). As this study involves several people in the exploration of adult social work (Community Care policy context), it will contribute to knowledge of the meaning given to contemporary social work. It does so by expanding the concept of discourse analysis to the wider social context in which the overall narrative (story) is ‘told’. This research aims to understand how respondents draw on discourses in particular ways and includes an analysis of the contradictions and gaps within the overall narrative of social work. Stemming from wider pre-determined narratives that are available in social work cultures, this study not only analyses the words themselves by utilising discourse analytic tools, but demonstrates new ways in which to apply critical discourse analysis in the exploration of accounts of social work. In this examination, this research critically analyses and evaluates the implications these discourses can have on identity construction (personal and professional self), as well as on those social work intends to benefit (service users).

This diploma thesis critically examines traditional positivist interpretations concerning the birth of four core norms of the current legal regime governing activities of states in Outer Space: a) non-militarization, b) peaceful use, c) non- appropriation, and d) freedom of access. Traditional interpretations often explicate the emergence of the aforementioned principles in static terms, either as a result of universal aspirations of mankind to peaceful explore the final frontier, or alternatively as a product of rational calculations of self-interested states. Analysis of the first decade of the space age through the lens of post-structural genealogical method proposed by Richard Price reveals a much more complex picture. Application of critical genealogical approach indicates that the emergence of the four norms in question was contingent on the presence of particular historical circumstances and cognitive structures of the Cold War: a) fear of nuclear weapons, b) policy of containment, c) trauma of the Second World War, and d) highly politicized outer space discourse due to the presence of the space race. The findings also indicate that without the presence of the particular historical circumstances and cognitive structures that necessitated their emergence, the four principles in question are...

The subject of the thesis is the Czech Republic parliamentary debate about a national referendum spanning from 1989 to 2014. It is mapping the evolution of the debates on the base of stenographic protocols from the proceedings concerning national referendum bill, as discussed by Chamber of deputies of the Czech Republic. The theoretical part of the thesis is based on current debates about direct democracy. The metodological part of the thesis is using concepts and terminology of the discoursive approach of R. Wodak. Based on this approach, the analysis of the debates is focusing on the main discoursive elements, those are, context framing, inter - discoursive relations, the main issues of the debates, reasoning and identification of the participants. The second level analysis is putting the debates about national referendum into the the context with contemporary debates about direct democracy. In the last part of the thesis the results of the analysis are discussed.

O presente trabalho, concebido a partir da perspectiva da Análise Institucional de Discurso, objetiva desenhar a produção de subjetividade no âmbito de um suporte digital específico, de modo a delinear algumas imagens de si a partir da escolha de cinco weblogs de cunho pessoal. Para isto, foi necessário conduzir uma análise que visasse a configurar as cenas enunciativas constitutivas da escrita de si exibida nos blogs. Por meio dos corpora, realizaram-se três tarefas complementares: (1) montar as cenografias entendidas como cenas que legitimam o enunciado, que distribuem lugares discursivos entre enunciador e coenunciador e que engendram um intrincado jogo de expectativas; (2) estabelecer os ethé dos escreventes (ethé é plural de ethos, termo que designa a imagem que se pode formar do enunciador a partir do modo como este toma a palavra); e (3) evidenciar os efeitos de reconhecimento e desconhecimento configurados na enunciação. As análises realizadas permitem afirmar que, pela própria maneira de expressar-se no blog, o escrevente cria uma relação de intimidade e familiaridade com o leitor. Além disso, é possível dizer que, por meio de oposições e diferenciações do escrevente em relação a um interlocutor produzido no discurso, emerge uma imagem valorizada do eu, uma subjetividade como um elogio de si. O blog, muitas vezes, é visto como um espelho que reflete o que realmente se é, configurando, consequentemente, um eu consciente da verdade sobre si. Por fim, cumpre asseverar que, na escrita de si, presente nos corpora analisados, a vida é reconhecida como aquilo que acontece no blog. Em função dos contornos construídos pela análise, foi possível apontar, retomando as palavras de Michel Foucault, processos de subjetivação do discurso e objetivação do sujeito. Por fim, este trabalho também se constitui como uma apropriação do conceito de ethos, no âmbito da 8 Análise Institucional de Discurso / This research, conceived by Discourse Institutional Analysis theory, aims to delineate the subjectivity production in a specific digital base scope, designing some oneself images from five personal features weblogs choices. For that purpose, it has been required to lead an analysis that intended to set up the enunciative scenes that constitute the self writing in the blogs. By means of the corpora, three additional tasks were accomplished: (1) to assemble the scenographies perceived as scenes that justify the enunciation, that deliver discursive positions given between the enunciator and co-enunciator and that beget a complex expectation set. (2) to determine writers ethé (this is the plural form of ethos, a term for that possible formed image from the enunciator since the means taken for this word) and (3) to evidence the ignorance or acknowledgement effects configured in the enunciation. The conducted analyzes allow to claim that, by the very way expression on the blog, the writer builds a close connection between him and the reader. Furthermore, its possible to assert that, by writers oppositions and differentiations regarding to a speech produced interlocutor, an enriched self-image arises, as subjectivity, a self-compliment. Frequently the blog is seen as a mirror with a real to be reflection, pursuant to depicting a conscious self about the oneself truth, Ultimately, it is needed to endorse that, in self writing in analyzed corpora, life is accepted as that is regarded in the blog. In terms of analyzes lineament, it could be possible to point out, in Michel Foucault words, discourse subjectivation and objectivizing of the subject processes. Finally, this research also consists in an ethos concept appropriation, concerned to Discourse Institutional Analysis

O presente trabalho, concebido a partir da perspectiva da Análise Institucional de Discurso, objetiva desenhar a produção de subjetividade no âmbito de um suporte digital específico, de modo a delinear algumas imagens de si a partir da escolha de cinco weblogs de cunho pessoal. Para isto, foi necessário conduzir uma análise que visasse a configurar as cenas enunciativas constitutivas da escrita de si exibida nos blogs. Por meio dos corpora, realizaram-se três tarefas complementares: (1) montar as cenografias entendidas como cenas que legitimam o enunciado, que distribuem lugares discursivos entre enunciador e coenunciador e que engendram um intrincado jogo de expectativas; (2) estabelecer os ethé dos escreventes (ethé é plural de ethos, termo que designa a imagem que se pode formar do enunciador a partir do modo como este toma a palavra); e (3) evidenciar os efeitos de reconhecimento e desconhecimento configurados na enunciação. As análises realizadas permitem afirmar que, pela própria maneira de expressar-se no blog, o escrevente cria uma relação de intimidade e familiaridade com o leitor. Além disso, é possível dizer que, por meio de oposições e diferenciações do escrevente em relação a um interlocutor produzido no discurso, emerge uma imagem valorizada do eu, uma subjetividade como um elogio de si. O blog, muitas vezes, é visto como um espelho que reflete o que realmente se é, configurando, consequentemente, um eu consciente da verdade sobre si. Por fim, cumpre asseverar que, na escrita de si, presente nos corpora analisados, a vida é reconhecida como aquilo que acontece no blog. Em função dos contornos construídos pela análise, foi possível apontar, retomando as palavras de Michel Foucault, processos de subjetivação do discurso e objetivação do sujeito. Por fim, este trabalho também se constitui como uma apropriação do conceito de ethos, no âmbito da 8 Análise Institucional de Discurso / This research, conceived by Discourse Institutional Analysis theory, aims to delineate the subjectivity production in a specific digital base scope, designing some oneself images from five personal features weblogs choices. For that purpose, it has been required to lead an analysis that intended to set up the enunciative scenes that constitute the self writing in the blogs. By means of the corpora, three additional tasks were accomplished: (1) to assemble the scenographies perceived as scenes that justify the enunciation, that deliver discursive positions given between the enunciator and co-enunciator and that beget a complex expectation set. (2) to determine writers ethé (this is the plural form of ethos, a term for that possible formed image from the enunciator since the means taken for this word) and (3) to evidence the ignorance or acknowledgement effects configured in the enunciation. The conducted analyzes allow to claim that, by the very way expression on the blog, the writer builds a close connection between him and the reader. Furthermore, its possible to assert that, by writers oppositions and differentiations regarding to a speech produced interlocutor, an enriched self-image arises, as subjectivity, a self-compliment. Frequently the blog is seen as a mirror with a real to be reflection, pursuant to depicting a conscious self about the oneself truth, Ultimately, it is needed to endorse that, in self writing in analyzed corpora, life is accepted as that is regarded in the blog. In terms of analyzes lineament, it could be possible to point out, in Michel Foucault words, discourse subjectivation and objectivizing of the subject processes. Finally, this research also consists in an ethos concept appropriation, concerned to Discourse Institutional Analysis

This study explored the discursive subject positions that 18 parents, teachers and administrators involved with children identified as experiencing learning difficulties in a Queensland regional primary school between September 2003 and August 2004 drew upon to explain the causes of those children’s learning difficulties. The study used a post-structuralist adaptation of positioning theory and social constructionism and a discourse analytic method to analyse relevant policy documents and participants’ semi-structured interview transcripts to interrogate what models were being used to explain a student's inability to access the curriculum. Despite the existence of alternative explanatory frameworks that functioned as relatively undeveloped resistant counternarratives, the study demonstrated the medical model’s overwhelming dominance in both Education Queensland policy statements and the participants’ subject positions. This dominance shapes and informs the adult stakeholders’ subjectivities and renders the child docile and potentially irrational.

The aim of this study is to analyze the transformation of the official discourse and perception of the Kurdish issue and Kurds through its representations in Turkish media since 1990. Ottoman period and the Republican period till 1990s are studied in the first phase, in order to provide the historical backgroud of the Kurdish question and state&rsquo / s perception of the issue. In the second phase, representations of state&rsquo / s perception of the Kurdish issue in H&uuml / rriyet and Cumhuriyet newspapers are analyzed by using Critical Discourse Analysis techniques. The transformation of the official discourse of the Kurdish issue is examined through eight cases: the Gulf War I in 1991, events occurred during the Parliamentary Oath Ceremony in 1991, Nevruz of 1992, HADEP congress in 1996, capture of Semdin Sakik in 1998 and Abdullah &Ouml / calan in 1999, the Gulf War II in 2003, Nevruz of 2005, Semdinli incident and debates on identity in 2005 and 2006. In this study, it is claimed that state&rsquo / s perception and discourse of the Kurdish issue has transformed since 1990s without a total detachment from its traditional perception and discourse of the issue.

The debate surrounding the opinion polls of the political party Sverigedemokraterna, and later their results in the Swedish election has been evident. The purpose of the study is to investigate how norms of equal treatment in social work practice might be influenced by Sverigedemokraterna's understanding of culture, ethnicity, nationality and religion. The thesis is outlined through the works of Teun van Dijk and Ruth Wodak (2000) regarding racist discourse in politics, Giorel Curran (2004) explaining lesser established parties influence on the broader discourses and Anders Hellström and Tom Nilsson (2010) attempting to ideologically position Sverigedemokraterna. With the method for analyzing policy documents designed by Carol Bacchi (2009) the latest motions from Sverigedemokraterna has been analyzed. Bacchi’s theoretical framework, together with theory concerning the expression of modern racism of John Hodge (1999), Paul Gilroy (1999) and Bennedict Anderson (1996) amongst others has been used to create an understanding of the material. The study shows the existence of understandings within the party of cultures as separate and absolute differentiated from each other, coinciding with research on the matter of racism. Hierarchies amongst cultures defined by place of birth are created through the motions. Ideas of a Swedish culture is portrayed as more developed and superior culture. People's different rights of wellfare are made sense of through arguments of birthplace and embodiment of what the party defines as Swedish culture. / Debatten om partiet Sverigedemokraternas opinionssiffror, och senare valresultat har varit påtaglig. Studiens syfte är att genom analys av Sverigedemokraternas resonemang kring kultur, nationalitet, religion och etnicitet förstå hur normer i det sociala arbetet om likabehandling kan komma att påverkas av dessa sverigedemokratiska resonemang. Med utgångspunkt i Teun van Dijk och Ruth Wodaks (2000) forskning om rasistiska diskurser i politiken, Giorel Currans (2004) studie om mindre partiers påverkan på de politiska diskurserna och Anders Hellström och Tom Nilssons (2010) ideologiska positionering av Sverigedemokraterna har uppsatsens syfte utformats. Med Carol Bacchis (2009) metod för analys av policydokument görs en diskursivt inriktad textanalys av de vid tiden för studien senast publicerade motionerna från partiet. Tillsammans med Bacchis teoretiska ramverk för metoden används forskning från John Hodge (1999), Paul Gilroy (1999) och Bennedict Anderson (1996) m.fl. kring hur nyare former av rasism tar sig uttryck genom föreställningar kring kulturer. Analysen visar på sverigedemokratiska föreställningar om kulturer som skilda från varandra och präglade av olikhet sinsemellan, i överensstämmelse med forskning kring nyrasismens utgångspunkter. Hierarkier av kulturer kopplade till födelseplats utformas i resonemangen förda i motionerna, där idéer om en svensk kultur framställs som utvecklad och överlägsen. Människors rätt till välfärd sorteras i de sverigedemokratiska resonemangen efter födelseplats, och förkroppsligande av en av partiet definierad svensk kultur.

This dissertation is a qualitative discourse analysis study. The study seeks to understand roles of organizational discourse and management discourse in stimulating strategic organizational change, and facilitating organizational culture dynamics and identity development. Specifically, this study examines how The Haier Group Company has constructed, disseminated and entrenched its corporate public discourse (CPD) as a symbolic and rhetorical means for stimulating organizational change in the context of global challenges. Theoretical positions guiding this study are: globalization, the nexus of the global and local, glocalization, transculturation and hybridity, as well as organizational communication, organizational discourse study, organizational discourse analysis, and corporate public discourse. Methodologically, to better reveal the impact of globalization on organizational communication in a primarily non-Western context, this study adopts an interpretive-oriented approach, and adds a critical element from the language- ideology-power perspective. The data for this study is composed of a multiplicity of corporate public discourses (including print, online, audio-visual forms of texts, and artifacts) primarily produced by Haier between 1984 and 2004. In analyzing Haier's main CPD, this study examines how Haier has strategically constructed, disseminated, and entrenched the organization's culture, ideology, identity, and brand building. It also analyzes and demonstrates how Haier has, discursively and strategically, cultivated an organizational environment that fostered strategic organizational change. As the data set is diverse and large, the textual analysis and discussion depends on a combined use of organizational rhetorical analysis and storytelling analysis. To conclude, broadly, this study of Haier's corporate public discourse demonstrates China's current position within the historical phenomenon of globalization. More specifically, it shows that through constructing and communicating a specific organizational discourse about globalization and Haier's place in it, the Haier CEO and management is creating a reality that is challenging the dominant West- and U.S.-centric interpretations of globalization. This discourse challenges the notion that globalization is a new phenomenon, and that certain established and powerful global economic players will forever remain in positions of dominance. It frames globalization as a fluid phenomenon involving cultural fusion. This study is significant in at least two aspects. First, it demonstrates the impact of global mobility and interconnectivity upon a non-Western business corporation's communication strategies thereby adding to the scant numbers of empirical studies on this topic. Also, it differs from the extant studies on Haier, which are primarily case studies conducted by MBA scholars and practitioners of business and management, and provided an intercultural and organizational communication perspective. Second, this study demonstrates the utility of specific globalization concepts such as the global-local dialectic, glocalization, as well as some international/intercultural concepts such as transculturation and hybridity in studying organizational communication in a transnational context. One contribution of this study is its "insider" Chinese view of how Confucianism has shaped organizational communication practices in P. R. China. Another contribution is the "insider-outsider" perspective adopted in examining Haier's strategic communication about organizational change in an age of globalization. This `straddling' position is helpful in achieving an interpretive understanding of the impact of globalization upon organizational communication as it is situated in a mainly non-Western context.

Thesis is based on the views of authors of sociology of knowledge (Berger, Luckman, Bourdieu) and authors of discourse analysis (Foucault, Fairclough). The central assumption is that knowledge is socially constructed and that this construction has its strong ideological and hierarchic aspects. Author is analyzing books and texts of Vaclav Klaus using the critical discourse analysis. Author is convinced that Vaclav Klaus has a substantive influence on public opinion in Czech Republic. Also author is convinced the struggle in the discussion over environmental topics is based in different basic assupmtions of discussion participant. Thus author decided to analyse the Vaclav Klaus's basic assumptions for the notions of nature and environment.