14138 - Semiotics of the Media (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students acquire elements of audiovisual media semiotics, being able to analyze audiovisual sequences, as well as different genres of media.

Course contents

The module provides tools to carry out semiotic analyzes of different audiovisual languages, including an overview of formats and genres: documentary, news, media events, serial narration, cinema, commercials, music videos, particularly focusing on dynamics relating to the role of sound and music in audiovisuals.

The course foresees a structure of topics divided - approximately - in the single weeks.

1st week: Media landscape, elements of text semiotics, media text analysis

2nd week: Semiotic analysis of audiovisual text: sound/image relationship, audiovisual syncretism 

3rd week: Music and TV: theme songs, series, musical supervision.

4th week: Music video: history, structure, evolution, case studies

5th week: Textual analysis of global and performative media events, commercial analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

MANDATORY TEXTS

Spaziante L. (2023), Elementi di Semiotica dei media (handouts).

 Spaziante L. (2022), “La relazione tra suono e immagine nel videoclip”, estetica. studi e ricerche, 2, pp. 313-330 (remote access via Proxy).

Spaziante L. (2021), “So disarmingly European”: Eurovision Song Contest and the European Identity in F. Mangiapane, T. Migliore (eds.) Images of Europe, Springer.

Cardini D., Sibilla G. (2021), La canzone nelle serie tv. Forme narrative e modelli produttivi, Pàtron.

Spaziante L. (2020), "Tv playlist: serie tv, musica e supervisione musicale", Mediascapes Journal, (16) (online).

Spaziante L. (2005), “Suoni e musiche dagli spot” in Bianchi, C., Spot. Analisi semiotica dell'audiovisivo pubblicitario, Roma, Carocci, pp. 153-177.

Peverini P. (2004), Il videoclip, Meltemi (capp. 1 e 3, available online).

 

 

OPTIONAL TEXTS

• To study and deepen notions of semiotics:

Marrone, G. (2018), Prima lezione di semiotica, Laterza.

Pozzato, M.P. (2013), Capire la semiotica, Carocci.

Traini, S. (2013), Le basi della semiotica, Bompiani.

 

• to study and explore the semiotics of film, audiovisuals, and media:

Bertetti, P. (2012), Il racconto audiovisivo. Teorie e strumenti semiotici, Cartman.

Malavasi, L. (2019), Il linguaggio del cinema, Pearson.

Peverini, P. (2012), I media: strumenti di analisi semiotica, Carocci.

 

Teaching methods

The module includes lectures, encouraging presence and participation of students, as audiovisual materials will be shown during the lessons and collective analyzes will also be carried out.

Assessment methods

The course does not make any distinction between attending and non-attending students.

The exam consists of a written test with open questions, around the contents of the program, to be held in the PC laboratory classroom.

 

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EVALUATION CRITERIA

The ability to argue in a critical, in-depth and original way - quoting names and definitions - combined with the possession of an expressive mastery, which demonstrates the learning of a specific language, as well as the mastery of analytical tools, will be assessed overall with marks of excellent range (28 / 30L).

The mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, combined with poorly articulated synthesis and analysis skills and / or an incorrect use of specific language, will lead to evaluations of a good range (24/27).

Obvious training gaps and / or inappropriate language - while showing a set of minimal knowledge of the exam material - will lead to grades that, depending on the case, will exceed the sufficiency, or a little more (18/23).

Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered during the course, inability to argue, will be evaluated below sufficiency.

Teaching tools

The module will make use of IT supports and multimedia tools: classroom with PC and audio-video projector.

Office hours

See the website of Lucio Spaziante