B8863 - SEMIOTICA DELLA CULTURA (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to: see the culture as semiotic construction; identify the cultural relevance of different semiotic events (individual or collective), as literature, rituals, institutions, television, fashion, common sense; analyze the meaning structures that characterize the cultural events.

Course contents

 

The course will reflect on the nature of the mechanisms and processes of signification that characterize cultures as semiotic constructions, focusing on the origins of a semiotics of culture, its methodological specificity, its current articulations and hybridizations with different knowledge. The authors of reference will be Lévi-Strauss, Lotman, Eco. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between media-information and truth within our culture.


The lessons will address some key words, which play a particular role within the semiotics of culture:



Semiosphere

Encyclopedia

Common sense

Ideology

Truth

The topics addressed will be preparatory to the second integrated part of the exam, namely SEMIOTICS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, held by Prof. Demaria.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings

- Lorusso, A.M., Semiotica della cultura , Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010

- Lotman, J. e Uspenskij, B., Tipologia della cultura, Milano, Bompiani, 1975 (parte I + “il metalinguaggio delle descrizioni tipologiche della cultura” + “Semiotica dei concetti di vergogna e paura”)

- Lotman, J., La semiosfera. L'asimmetria e il dialogo nelle strutture pensanti,Milano, La nave di Teseo (pagg. 1-115)

-Eco, U. “Dizionario vs. Enciclopedia” in Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio, Torino, Einaudi, 1984

-Lorusso, A.M. Il senso della realtà, Milano, La nave di teseo, 2025

+ an optional text to be agreed upon with the instructor

For those taking this module only, without the second module taught by Professor Demaria, the following is also required:
- Demaria, C., Semiotica e memoria, Rome, Carocci, 2006 (First part: "Reflections on memory")

Teaching methods

The course will alternate traditional lectures with more seminar-based lessons which will see the presentation of analytical works.

Since the final exam consists in setting up a small research project, attendance of lessons and active participation is strongly recommended, so as to progressively proceed with the acquisition of the analysis tools.

Assessment methods

There will be six exam sessions:

June, July, September, November, January, and March.

 

For students taking only this module:
The exam will be oral and will focus on: testing knowledge of the course materials, the ability to apply the acquired theories to concrete case studies, and the ability to argue and present clearly.
Attending students with a particular interest in the subject may arrange a written paper with the instructor. In this case, limited, declared, and non-substantial use of AI for support activities (synthesis, reformulations) will be permitted.

For students taking the integrated course:
The exam is divided into two parts; the result will be the average of the scores of the two parts.
The two parts must be taken in the same exam session.
1. A written exam, in the classroom, on the computer, lasting one hour, in which the student is required to comment on/analyze a theoretical object (an image, a video, a symbol, etc.) with reference to the theories and concepts discussed in the first module of the course. The aim of this exam is to test the student's ability to apply the concepts studied to practical observation.
2. A written exam to be completed at home and submitted by the chosen exam date. The exam will consist of identifying and developing a concrete and original case study related to the themes of memory, highlighting:
- area of investigation (for example, contemporary forms of racism, or behavioral models, or spaces of memory and trauma, or artistic practices and installations, or the world of sport, etc.)
- problem to be investigated and research hypotheses
- corpus of analysis
- methodological categories deemed useful for that corpus
- bibliography to consult

This exercise can be completed schematically, in PowerPoint format, or with a discursive text of up to 10,000 characters (excluding bibliography). In any case, maximum precision, detail, and concreteness of the case study are recommended.

For both exams, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with learning disabilities (LD) or temporary or permanent disabilities:

please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). They will be responsible for suggesting any adaptations to the affected students. However, these must be submitted to the instructor for approval 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their suitability, also taking into account the course's learning objectives.

Teaching tools

Ppt and video will be used to support the teaching.

Some additional and optional materials will be uploaded to Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Anna Maria Lorusso