Professor Xin Bin of Nanjing Normal University (NNU) gave a lecture on critical discourse analysis in the postmodern context at CFLC on June 19. CFLC master’s and doctoral students in the English Language and Literature programs attended the lecture.

Prof. Xin is a doctoral supervisor at NNU’s School of Foreign Languages and Cultures, the director of the school’s English language program, a member of the Ministry of Education’s College English Teaching Steering Committee, and vice president of Jiangsu Education Society’s Linguistics Institute.

Prof. Xin is an accomplished academic in critical discourse analysis and holds a doctoral degree in this field of study. Over the past decade, he has contributed significantly to the development of critical discourse analysis in China. His lecture at CFLC deepened the students’ perspective of this subject.

Prof. Xin’s lecture at CFLC revolved around three topics ? postmodern criticism of culture, knowledge and language, constructiveness of language and heterogeneity of discourse, and relativity of semantics and reflectiveness of criticism.

During the lecture, Prof. Xin also shared his recent research findings, as well as his success experience in securing a research grant from the National Social Sciences Foundation. He shared his opinion on the essentials of academic research, too.

Prof. Xin’s insightful lecture covered various aspects of culture, knowledge and language. He introduced the main theories of critical discourse analysis and their underpinning philosophical foundations. He elaborated on abstract psychological concepts in plain terms and used vivid examples to illustrate his point. He encouraged the students to look at matters critically and develop their capacity for critical thinking in the age of information explosion.

The two-hour lecture proved to be a valuable and stimulating learning experience for the students, and the lively Q&A session following the lecture helped the students better understand critical discourse analysis.

After the lecture, on behalf of the Department of English Language and Literature, Professor and Vice Chair Xin Zhiying, thanked Prof. Xin Bin for his wonderful lecture.