CALL FOR PAPERS

FQS 8(2): From Michel Foucault's Theory of Discourse
to Empirical Discourse Research

Current Methodological Trends and Practices in Social Research

Editors:

Andrea D. Bührmann (Universität Dortmund)
Rainer Diaz-Bone (Freie Universität Berlin)
Encarnación Gutiérrez Rodriguez (University of Manchester)
Gavin Kendall (Queensland University of Technology)
Werner Schneider (Universität Augsburg)
Francisco J. Tirado (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona)

Discourse research—primarily as a field of qualitative social research—has been established and refined in Germany since the 1990s. Following and developing Foucault's theory of discourse in the German-speaking academic community, several empirical approaches which became referred to as "discourse analysis" emerged; yet these approaches were (and still are) often grounded on different methodological bases, and assume very different approaches, methods and empirical practices.

This special edition of FQS on empirical discourse research—which is intended to be issued in 2007—aims to provide an insight, especially beyond the German-speaking academic community, into current methodological positions and approaches in this field. With an international orientation focussed on empirical practice, this special edition of FQS aims to take up and confront the theoretical and analytical debates around Foucault's notion of discourse. This special edition will also investigate the specific receptions of Foucault's work on discourse in different linguistic communities. It is hoped that further methodological perspectives can be identified and developed, based on a critical engagement with the genealogy of Foucault's theory of discourse and its contemporary theoretical manifestations.

Articles to be submitted shall either present new empirical discourse analysis in the context of social-scientific research, or be focused on methodological issues. Articles which present new empirical research should include reflection on the own methodological approach.

The following topics are suggested, but do not form an exclusive list:

• Methodology and methods of discourse analysis: current reflections on methodological grounds and practices; on possible quality criteria (including reliability and validity); from empirical research to knowledge; barriers to the development of discourse analytic approaches.

• Methodological developments: the discursive analysis of images, films, or sound; what does discourse analysis (or the analysis of the dispositif) offer for dealing with non-textual materials?

• Discourse analysis in interdisciplinary contexts:

• The relationship of linguistics, philosophy of language and Foucaultian discourse analyses; current developments reconsidered or evaluated. Here, we have in mind, for example, the work of Michel Pêcheux and his collaborators

• Discourse analysis in the field of social psychology—current developments

• Other interdisciplinary relations, including discourse analysis and ethnology/history ...

• Fields of applied discourse analysis in social research: investigating "popular phrases" and "vogue" concepts? What notions are providing new analytical directions for discourse research? What is offered by new fields of applied discourse analysis such as governmentality studies, cultural studies, gender studies, postcolonial studies, analysis of welfare/workfare or management diversity? Here the methodological aspects are of prime importance.

Abstracts (in English) for the proposed article (500 words minimum, 1000 words maximum) should be sent by 15th April 2006 via e-mail to one of the following addresses:

diazbone@zedat.fu-berlin.de (Rainer Diaz-Bone)
g.kendall@qut.edu.au (Gavin Kendall)

For further information about submission formats see: http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/fqs-e/submission-e.htm.

Timetable

• Abstracts can be send till April 15th 2006

• April/May selection by the editors

• Till the end of May information about the results of the selection process

• Till 30th of September the written articles must be send

• October to December reviewing and commenting by the editors

• Till the end of January 2007 the articles are finished

• May 2007 release of the FQS 8(2)

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© 1999-2008 Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research
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