SEMIOTICS

1) Knowledge and understanding

Basic knowledge related to the foundamental notions of communication and signification. Introduction to the main semiotic approaches and theoretical debates around the fundamental notions of semiotics, illustrated through examples taken from the contemporary world. Ability to understand a text and analyze it through a semiotic methodology.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding

Ability to link and compare different theories and positions. Basic ability to recognize and analyze a verbal, visual or audio text according to the method of the semiotic analysis.

3) Making judgments

Ability to interpret the communicative phenomena characterizing the texts of the contemporary world and to reflect on their functioning and their role in society.

4) Communication skills

Ability to communicate what has been learned in the course to specialist interlocutors, paraphrasing the contents of the texts and using the specific terminology of the discipline; ability to communicate with non-specialists of the discipline.

5) Learning skills

Skills necessary to deepen the study of semiotics and, more generally, of language and communication, in an autonomous and critical way, in particular the ability to paraphrase a complex text, to produce examples, to compare opposing theses and to evaluate a text analysis.

The course will take place in the first semester during days and hours which will be published on the website in due course. Classes will have a mixed format: lectures will be accompanied by regular guided discussions, shared reading and teamwork activities. Exercises and practicing material in view of the written test will be uploaded on Studium.

The course is divided into three modules.

Module A aims to present the fundamental notions and debates of semiotics. In particular, starting from the notions of sign and text, the processes of communication, signification, interpretation, translation and narration will be analysed. The classical definitions of semiotics will be presented by combining a theoretical perspective – which focuses on the classical authors and their main contributions to the discipline (Saussure, Peirce, Hjelmslev, Barthes, Jakobson, Greimas, Eco) – with the application of the acquired notions to the cultural phenomena of contemporary communication, with particular attention to traditional media and new media (E. Campisi, A. Bondì, Lezioni di semiotica, Torino, Utet, 2023).

Module B focuses on the notion of text, understood as a configuration of meaning expressed in one or more modalities (linguistic, visual, sound, gestural), and on the basic tools for its analysis, such as narrative grammar, enunciative strategies and aesthetic principles (reference text: G. Marrone, Introduzione alla semiotica del testo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2011).

Module C has the goal of deepening the methodology and instrumentation necessary for the analysis of a visual text through the discussion of the fundamental theoretical notions (denotation/connotation; debate about iconism; enunciation) and the categories commonly used in figurative and plastic semiotic (P. Polidoro, Che cos’è la semiotica visiva, Roma, Carocci, 2008).

Texts:

- E. Campisi, E., Bondì, Lezioni di semiotica, Torino, Utet, 2023

- G. Marrone, Introduzione alla semiotica del testo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2011

- P. Polidoro, Che cos’è la semiotica visiva, Roma, Carocci, 2008

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.