Concern regarding the morality, quality, and utility of public discourse is growing around the world. The organizers invite participants interested in language and social interaction (LSI) research to look beyond the moral panic and political partisanship permeating social media and the daily news cycle and to examine value (worth) and morality not as abstract philosophical, sociological, or cultural categories but as interactional phenomena. In particular, participants will reflect on the interactional mechanisms, accomplishment, social consequentiality, and cultural foundations of evaluations and assessments in public discourse.
The purpose of this post-conference is to explore questions and issues related to value and morality in public discourse from an LSI perspective. Thus, the organizers wish to offer participants an opportunity to share ideas rather than present papers. The day-long conference will begin with a data session in which a panel of senior scholars will present their individual analyses of the same excerpt from public discourse data.
Panelists will include Richard Buttny (Syracuse University), Donal Carbaugh (University of Massachusetts Amherst), and Deborah Tannen (Georgetown University). After the data session, participants will continue discussing the same data excerpt in breakout sessions. The afternoon will begin with roundtable sessions dedicated to the discussion of statements participants will be asked to submit to the organizers. Finally, the morning panelists will reflect on key themes and emerging research agendas in a closing session. The day will conclude with a social event.