Wissenssoziologische Diskursanalyse

Abstract

Abstract:The contribution outlines a research programme which I have coined the "sociology of knowledge approach to discourse" (Wissenssoziologische Diskursanalyse). This approach to discourse integrates important insights of FOUCAULT's theory of discourse into the interpretative paradigm in the social sciences, especially the "German" approach of hermeneutic sociology of knowledge (Hermeneutische Wissenssoziologie). Accordingly, in this approach discourses are considered as "structured and structuring structures" which shape social practices of enunciation. Unlike some Foucauldian approaches, this form of discourse analysis recognises the importance of socially constituted actors in the social production and circulation of knowledge. Furthermore, it combines research questions related to the concept of "discourse" with the methodical toolbox of qualitative social research. Going beyond questions of language in use, "the sociology of knowledge approach to discourse" (Wissenssoziologische Diskursanalyse) addresses sociological interests, the analyses of social relations and politics of knowledge as well as the discursive construction of reality as an empirical ("material") process. For empirical research on discourse the approach proposes the use of analytical concepts from the sociology of knowledge tradition, such as interpretative schemes or frames (Deutungsmuster), "classifications", "phenomenal structure" (Phänomenstruktur), "narrative structure", "dispositif" etc., and the use of the methodological strategies of "grounded theory". Since the impressive work of Michel FOUCAULT in the 1960s and 1970s, discourse research in the social sciences has been oscillating between the comprehensive theoretical interpretation of social macro-discourses (e.g. the Foucauldian tradition, work inspired by LACLAU and MOUFFE, Cultural and Postcolonial Studies) and the analysis of concrete "language in use" in the field of discourse analysis (including linguistic pragmatics and ethnomethodologically rooted conversation analysis). Recent attempts to build bridges between these rather heterogeneous paradigms have aimed to reduce problems localised on both sides, either in an "all too abstract macro analysis in discourse theory" not really fitted to reach the level of empirical research, or in an "all to micro perspective" on discourse unable to go beyond local micro-data analysis. Although I agree with this diagnosis, I suggest a different strategy for discourse research in order to bring the latter "down to earth" in empirical sociology: Rather than focusing on the analysis of "language in use", it is preferable-and possible

25. Sprache In Der Bildung

“…Außerhalb der an der Schuldidaktik ausgerichteten Forschung sind sprachwissenschaftliche und interdisziplinäre Untersuchungen der Wissensvermittlung zu erwähnen, etwa die wissenssoziologische Diskursanalyse (Keller 2005), die onomasiologisch-kognitive Metaphernanalyse (Jäkel 2003) und Analysen der sprachlichen Wissensvermittlung durch Mündlichkeit und Schriftlichkeit und im multimedialen Bereich (Hanna 2003 Neben diesen überregional und teilweise auch international durchgeführten Studien und Programmen lassen sich in der empirischen Bildungsforschung auch kleinere Projekte mit spezifischen Fragestellungen zur Erforschung des Zusammenhangs von Sprache und Bildung finden. Hier sei nur eine kleine Auswahl exemplarisch dargestellt.…”

Comparing Discourse between Cultures: A Discursive Approach to Movement Knowledge

“…The sociology of knowledge approach to discourse (SKAD) has been developed since the late 1990s by Keller (2001) to combine the analytical focus of sociology of knowledge on actors, interaction, everyday negotiation and socialisation with the Foucauldian discourse perspective, which stands in a Durkheimian tradition, focussing on emergent social facts as a reality of their own. It should be noted at this point that SKAD resulted from empirical research performed by Keller during the 1990s, which originally started with comparative framing studies on ecological communication of waste issues and policies in the German and French mass media and political spheres (Keller [1998(Keller [ ] 2009.…”

Heimat, Natur und die gute alte Zeit. Erzählungen über Nachhaltige Entwicklung im Spannungsfeld öffentlicher und wissenschaftlicher Diskurse

“…Für eine Einführung in die Diskurstheorie und ihre verschiedenen Theorietraditionen siehe etwa Jäger (2001), Keller (2005) oder auch Wodak/Meyer (2001), die in ihrem Band auch Ansätze aus dem angloamerikanischen Raum berücksichtigen. Speziell mit Narrativisierungsprozessen in Diskursen hat sich Viehöver (2001) auseinandergesetzt.…”