University Discourse in Computer-mediated Communication: Philosophical, Sociological and Cultural Grounds for Linguistic Description

Abstract

Being the center and the result of cognitive strains made by many people – scholars, theologians, philosophers, representatives of art, and aimed at maintenance of high-level searching for truth, good and beauty, for the truth of objective reality in the society – the University plays an outstanding part in life of countries and peoples, stipulating stable discussion of the problem of idea or mission of the University. The paper provides a brief review of fundamental classical and post-modern philosophical conceptions of mission of the University which are relevant for linguistic investigation of the University discourse. The University discourse is seen as a complex and polyphonic phenomenon existing on the point of intersection of different kinds of discourse and incorporating them through basic concepts, demanding, therefore, for lingua-cognitive description. The objectives facing the modern University include integration into the global educational process implementing mostly by means of computer-mediated communication. Hence, the object of prospective research is determined – the computer-mediated University discourse, which hasn’t been studied in details yet. A set of features of computer-mediated communication is singled out from all the conceptions modern linguistics has at its disposal at present. The investigation of computer-mediated University discourse can be topical and necessary both for contemporary linguistic knowledge and for humanities in general.