Semiotic approach in the study of culture and discourse

elective courses

Semiotics can be understood as an approach to the study of culture and language that focuses on communication and meaning-making. The most important theoretical assumptions allow us to see social processes primarily as processes of communication. We are primarily interested, then, in the use of symbols by different social actors to achieve their goals. During the course, participants will become familiar with the most important theoretical texts, but most space will be devoted to practical illustrations of the use of the semiotic method.

The semiotic approach results from the great debate about the role of language in creating an image of the world and participation in culture. Semiotics assumes that humans exist in the world through signs, and that communication is an essential social process that guarantees the functioning of human communities. Not only linguistics, but also anthropology, rhetoric and psycholinguistics make up the interdisciplinary approach of semiotics, which supports the study of language, culture and society in various aspects. In this class we will discuss the most important publications from the mentioned disciplines, reconstructing the main features of the semiotic conception of the sign and social meaning-making. On the basis of individually prepared materials, we will try to give examples of semiotic analysis in relation to a wide spectrum of social behaviour.

Barthes Roland, Mitologie; System Mody

Burke Peter, Fabrykacja Ludwika IV

Doda-Wyszyńska Agnieszka, Podstawy semiotyki dla kulturoznawców

Eco Umberto, Nieobecna struktura; Semiologia życia codziennego

Psychologia a semiotyka, red. Ida Kurcz

Rothenbuhler Eric W., Komunikacja rytualna

Semiotyka kultury, red. E. Janus, M.R. Mayenowa

Ongoing assessment of preparation - class participation; use of semiotic theories in the analysis of a selected phenomenon/process/object.

Possible three absences per semester.