Language, Knowledge and Society in Higher Education: The Intersection of Social, Epistemological and Discursive Knowledge in Academic Communication

Addressing the issue of fragmentation in academic English language research, this book takes a holistic approach to the areas of knowledge that converge within academic discourse and texts.

The authors argue that this convergence integrates three knowledge areas of a disciplinary community: its social processes, epistemology, and discursive practices. Going beyond the narrower focus of much previous theory and research, the volume advocates an original and integrated approach to the multifaceted nature of the academic language and literacy practices of universities.

The book is divided into two parts. Part 1 examines the context of contemporary universities and the broader influences that shape academic language use. Part 2 explores disciplinarity and the three dimensions that together shape academic language: social, epistemological, and discursive. The authors then present an innovative and integrated model of the three dimensions and use it to examine language from social science and STEM subjects. A concluding manifesto argues for an integrative, reflexive and ethical approach to researching academic language. This volume is of interest to anyone concerned with understanding, analysing, and teaching the academic language of universities as it is used for study or research publication purposes.

Ian Bruce is Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Waikato, New Zealand.
Alex Ding is Associate Professor of English for Academic Purposes at the University of Leeds, UK.