90861 - Sociosemiotics of Fashion

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired the ability to analyise and understand the most common types of texts used in fashion and life style communication and design. The result is pursued by introducing the theories of semiotics in their application to the analysis and planning of commercial and social messages.

Course contents

"Fashion is always semiotic" – Juri M. Lotman
This course sets out to examine the discourses of fashion through the lenses of cultural semiotics, the semiotics of memory, and socio-semiotics. Its aim is to equip students with the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to critically engage with the clothing system as an integral part of the power relations that run through our societies.

The first part of the course will focus on the key thinkers who have shaped the semiotic debate around fashion, style, and the art of dressing. The second part will explore how fashion and dressing practices can serve both as a means of identity-based emancipation for subaltern communities and as a site where power dynamics are reproduced, as well as a medium for collective memory and political activism.

In particular, the course will provide a framework for reflecting on fashion and politics (hierarchical systems, subaltern conditions, gender dynamics) as intrinsically linked domains. A semiotic approach will be adopted to deconstruct what is often perceived as natural in ways of dressing, revealing the underlying codes and structures of power that warrant critical analysis. 

 

Readings/Bibliography

• Calefato, P. (2021) La moda e il corpo. Teorie, concetti, prospettive critiche, Roma, Carocci.
• Marrone, G. (2001). Corpi Sociali. Processi comunicativi e semiotica del testo, Torino, Einaudi. (Solo "Introduzione" e "Tra le parole e le cose").
• Terraciano, B. (2022). "Semiotica della moda", in Marrone G. e Migliore T. (a cura di) Cura del senso e critica sociale. Ricognizione della semiotica italiana, Milano: Mimesis (solo questo capitolo)
  
  
  

Teaching methods

The lecturer will alternate traditional lectures with seminar-style sessions, during which specific case studies will be analyzed or classic texts in fashion semiotics will be discussed.

Active participation from students is required.
Attendance is strongly recommended.

 

Assessment methods

Learning will be assessed through an oral exam.

Scores will be based on the following criteria:

18-20: the student's contribution lacks elements of excellence or originality, i.e. the shortcomings are sufficient to offset the positive aspects of the activity; (E-)

20-24: the activity has some good aspects but has not been fully developed, i.e. it shows some serious shortcomings, although it is of a good overall standard; (E E+)

25-27: the activity is good or very good, but some or several weaknesses prevent it from achieving an excellent rating. (D D+)

28-30: Very good, no shortcomings, some or several elements of originality. (C C+)

30 with honours: excellent in all respects, original and exceptional (A).

People with disabilities and DSA have the right to special adaptations in relation to their condition, following assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and DSA. Please do not contact the lecturer, but contact the Service for an appointment. The Service will determine what adjustments are appropriate. More information on the page:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti

 

Use of AI

With regard to the assessment of learning, limited, declared, and non-substantive use of AI is permitted for support activities, such as summarising and rephrasing. Substantive use of AI to complete any part of the assessment is not permitted.

Teaching tools

Portable and desktop PCs, video projector, WiFi access point, internet connection, e-learning platform, personal smartphones.

Office hours

See the website of Mario Panico