04336 - Semiotics

Learning outcomes

Students have to reach a good knowledge of the basic concepts of general Semiotics and, in particular, to learn to analyse texts with the tools given by Generative Semiotic Theory.

Course contents

A first part of the Course will be dedicated to the explanation of the basic concepts of Semiotics (sign, language, signification, interpretation, structure, text, etc...), in particular those of Generative Semiotics. A second part will concern the presentation of some examples of textual analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

For the 10 CFU Course: Marrone, G. e Fabbri, P., Semiotica in nuce, vol.I, Meltemi, Roma 2000 (pp. 1-111 e 176-215); Marsciani, F. e Zinna, A., Elementi di semiotica generativa, Esculapio, Bologna 1991; Marsciani, F., Esercizi di semiotica generativa, Esculapio, Bologna 1999. Last, a book choosen among the list below: Landowski, Eric, La società riflessa, Meltemi, Roma 1999; Marrone, Gianfranco, Corpi sociali, Einaudi, Torino 2001; Ricoeur, Paul e Greimas, Algirdas J., Tra semiotica ed ermeneutica, Meltemi, Roma 2000; Floch, Jean-Marie, Identità visive, Franco Angeli, Milano 1997; Semprini, Andrea (a cura di), Il senso delle cose, Franco Angeli, Milano 1999; Fabbri, Paolo, La svolta semiotica, Laterza, Bari 1998 2 succ.; Marsciani, Francesco, Tracciati di etnosemiotica, Franco Angeli, Milano 2007. For the 5 CFU Course: Marrone, G. e Fabbri, P., Semiotica in nuce, vol.I, Meltemi, Roma 2000 (pp. 1-111 e 176-215); Marsciani, F. e Zinna, A., Elementi di semiotica generativa, Esculapio, Bologna 1991 Note: students of Scienze Antropologiche may optionnally read, instead of Semiotica in nuce (Marrone e Fabbri), one of the following: Lévi-Strauss, Claude, Antropolgia strutturale I, (capitoli I, II, IX, X, XI, XV), Il Saggiatore, Milano 1978; Geertz, Clifford, Antropologia interpretativa, Il Mulino, Bologna 1988; Douglas, Mary, Purezza e pericolo, Il Mulino, Bologna 1975; Marsciani, Francesco, Tracciati di etnosemiotica, Franco Angeli, Milano 2007; Del Ninno, Maurizio (a cura di), Etnosemiotica, Meltemi, Roma 2007.

Teaching methods

All along the course, discussing will be encouraged. In the second part of the course, students will be encouraged to give their own contribute in analysing texts. No use of "powerpoint".

Assessment methods

Oral test. Students have to demonstrate their knowledge of basic concepts and terminology of Semiotics.

Teaching tools

Oral lessons. Some video materials useful for the examples of textual analysis.

Links to further information

http://www.marsciani.net; http://www.dav.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Marsciani