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Discourse Analysis

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Methods in Urban Analysis

Part of the book series: Cities Research Series ((CRS))

Abstract

This chapter introduces urban and planning students to the methodological approach known as ‘discourse analysis’ that aims to uncover and provide insights on the way that language is deployed to maintain and exercise power. The chapter begins by explaining the origins of discourse analysis and the two most influential variants: ‘critical discourse analysis’ and analysis inspired by the writings of Foucault. The next section of the chapter considers recent examples of Australian scholarship in the fields of planning and housing where researchers have undertaken a discourse analysis. The main section of the chapter provides the reader with two examples of texts that consider the impacts of Covid-19 and the policy responses required. It is, in this section, that the reader can learn how critical discourse and Foucauldian approaches can be undertaken. The next section considers the criticisms that have been directed at discourse analysis and how these might be overcome. Finally, the chapter ends with six points as a way to summarise the main arguments that have been put forward.

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Acknowledgements

Some of the ideas set out above draw from an earlier chapter titled ‘Discourse analysis’ that was published in M. Walter (ed) (2019) Social Research Methods: An Australian Perspective, Melbourne: Oxford University Press (Revised—4th edition) pp. 316–340.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Keith Jacobs

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  1. Keith Jacobs
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Correspondence to Keith Jacobs .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Scott Baum

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Jacobs, K. (2021). Discourse Analysis. In: Baum, S. (eds) Methods in Urban Analysis. Cities Research Series. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1677-8_9

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