This course focuses on standard methods of studying text and discourse, and theories behind them, including both qualitative and quantitative methods of analyzing language use in its social context (e.g. critical discourse analysis, computer-mediated discourse analysis, and corpus-assisted discourse studies). The course readings include some classic studies and latest research in the field, and hands-on projects will familiarize students with the empirical analysis of text and discourse in practice. Course work includes weekly sessions, background readings, independent study, an oral presentation in the class, and a final essay (project paper).