Course title:

Semiotics

Course code: PSL219
Course status: Elective
Course leader: Mislava Bertoša
Course instructor: Mislava Bertoša
Language of instruction: English
Total hours: 8S
Form of instruction: Seminar
ECTS credits: 4

Course content by topics:

1. Introduction: semiotics, semiology, founders; 2. Directions in semiotics and semiology; 3. Barthes and socially engaged semiology ; 4. Sociosemiomitcs 1; 5. Sociosemiotics 2; 6. Semiotics and space 1; 7. Semiotics and space 2; 8. Final considerations

Learning outcomes at course level:

1. To name and explain the main theoretical directions and approaches in semiology and semiotics
2. To analyse and interpret verbal and nonverbal texts in line with the acquired theoretical frameworks
3. To evaluate the adequacy of the use of certain methods with regard to semiotic data
4. To compare the methods of semiotic analyses and interpretations with regard to verbal and nonverbal sign systems
5. To reach conclusions on the adequacy of particular methods and apply adequate sets of semiotic instruments to the selected semiotic data
6. To critically evaluate scientific texts from the field of semiotics
7. To integrate and combine semiotic approaches with other similar approaches in a broader context of linguistics

Learning outcomes at programme level:

Reading list:

1. Books: Barthes, R. (2009): Mitologije. Zagreb: Naklada Pelago.; Bertoša, M. (2008): Jamči se za uspjeh kano i za neštetnost. O reklamnom diskursu iz sociosemiološke perspektive. Zagreb: Srednja Europa.; Danesi, M. (1999): Of Cigarettes, High Heels, and Other Interesting Things.

Palgrave.; Floch, J.-M. (2001): Visual Identities. London: Continuum.; Gottdiener, M. (1995): Postmodern Semiotics. Cambridge: Blackwell.; Hodge, R. / Kress, G. (1988): Social Semiotics. Ithaca / New York: Cornell University Press.; Jaworski, A. / Thurlow, Ch. (eds.) (2010): Semiotic Landscapes. London: Continuum.; Kress, G. / Leeuwen, Th. van (2006): Reading Images. London: Routledge.; Nöth, W. (2004): Priručnik semiotike. Zagreb: Ceres.; Škiljan, D. (2007): Mappa mundi. Zagreb: Antibarbarus.; Leeuwen, Th. Van (2005): Introducing Social Semiotics. London – New York: Routledge.; 2. Articles: Antulov, S. / Bertoša, M. (2011): “Beyond Morality.” Discourse on Homosexuality in Croatian Newspapers from the Sociosemiotic Perspective: Comparison of Two Periods. [sic] – časopis za književnost, kulturu i književno prevođenje, no. 2, pp. 1-15.;

Bertoša, M. (2008): Sociosemiološki bricolage: analiza savršena para. Društvena istraživanja, 17(6), pp. 1109-1132.; Bertoša, M. / Antulov, S. (2012): ‘Ovo su naša četiri zida’: slogani

zagrebačke povorke ponosa i simboličko preimenovanje ulica kao taktike prisvajanja prostora. Društvena istraživanja, no. 117, pp. 771-791.; Bertoša, M. (2013): So Beautiful and So Close: Slogans in Tourism Advertising and Their Impact on Social Discourses in the Semiosphere. In: Sujoldžić, A. (ed.): Language, Culture & Tourism. Reflections on Europeanization and Identity in Post-Socialist Countries. Zagreb: Institute for Anthropological Research / Croatian Anthropological Society, pp. 103-142.; Bianchi, C. (2011): Semiotic approaches to advertising texts and strategies: Narrative, passion, marketing. Semiotica 183-1/4, pp. 243-271.; Cobley, P. / Randviir, A. (2009): Introduction: What is Sociosemiotics? Semiotica 173-1/4, pp. 1-39.; Hirsch,

128. (2008): The Generation of Postmemory. Poetics Today, 29:1, pp. 103-128.; Hughes, R. (2003): The abject artefacts of memory: photographs from Cambodia’s genocide. Media, Culture & Society 25, pp. 23-44.; Lagopoulos, A. Ph. (2009): The social semiotics of space: Metaphor, ideology and political economy. Semiotica 173-1/4, pp. 169-213.; Petrilli, S. (2010): Three women in semiotics: Welby, Boole, Langer. Semiotica 182-1/4, pp. 327-374.; Posner, R. (2011): Post-modernism, post-structuralism, post-semiotics? Sign theory at the fin de siècle. Semiotica 183-1/4, pp. 9-30.; Torop, P. (2005): Semiosphere and/as the research object of semiotics of culture. Sign System Studies 33.1, pp. 159-173.

Assessment of student achievement: Course attendance, participation in discussions Quality assurance mechanism: student survey