A cultural discourse studies approach to communication

Abstract

Just as the old problems of the world, such as poverty, climate change and nuclear weapon rivalry, are being exacerbated by the new virus of COVID-19, humanity has not chosen solidarity and cooperation. The human science of Communication Studies does not seem to be concerned, or equipped, to help with the existential crises, either. In this article I introduce as alternative Cultural Discourse Studies (CDS), an emerging culturalist paradigm of communication research, in terms of its conception, direction, operation as well as production. It is characterized by engagement with culturally diversified and competing discourses with a view to combating cultural hegemony on the one hand and enhancing cultural harmony on the other. To illustrate this culturally conscious and critical programme, a case study of Chinese defense policy discourse is presented.

Keywords

• culture
• diversity
• power
• discourse system