28378 - Methodologies of Analysis (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires advanced methodological ability in the semiotic analysis of several kinds of texts: short stories, newspapers articles, advertising campaigns, photographs, web sites, objects, etc.

Course contents

This year’s course is devoted to the structural methodology of analisis of sign systems and textual varieties on the basis of some of Roland Barthes’s classical analyses. Advertisements, photographs, short stories are among the semiotic objects to which the structural method is applied and on which some central methodological categories (langueand parole, signifier and signified, syntagm and paradigm, denotation and connotation, etc.) are verified. Special importance is given to Barthes’ “fashion system”, not so much for the particular results of the analysis as for the generality and depth of the problems involved in this classical methodological exercize. A further topic of investigation is the methodological problem of a critical analysis of ideological (or “mythical”, in Barthes’ sense) discourse.

Readings/Bibliography

R. Barthes, Elementi di semiologia, Torino: Einaudi, 1966.

R. Barthes, Sistema della moda,Torino: Einaudi, 1970.

R. Barthes, L’avventura semiologica,Torino: Einaudi, 1991 [only the chapters: “Il messaggio pubblicitario”, pp. 27–32; “La cucina del senso”, pp. 33–35; “Semantica dell’oggetto”, pp. 37–48; “Introduzione all’analisi strutturale dei racconti”, pp. 81–122].

R. Barthes, L’ovvio e l’ottuso. Saggi critici III, Torino: Einaudi, 1985 [only the chapters: “Il messaggio fotografico”, pp. 5–21; “Retorica dell’immagine”, pp. 22–41].

R. Barthes, “L’attività strutturalista”, in Saggi critici, Torino: Einaudi, 1966, pp. 308–315.

R. Barthes, “Il mito, oggi”, in Miti d’oggi, Torino: Einaudi, 1974, pp. 189–238.

[year refers to the first Italian edition (as to Miti d'oggi, it's the first Einaudi edition); later editions are also perfectly fine]

NB No difference is made between attending and non-attending students

Teaching methods

Class lectures with readings, critical discussions, and exercizes. Active participation is strongly encouraged.

Assessment methods

Examination is oral. The aim of the exam is to ascertain knowledge of structural semiotic methodology and of the results of the analyses considered. Its aim is also to ascrtain the ability to discuss critically the epistemological and methodological problems that analysis raises.

Vote is assigned according to the following evaluation levels:

30 cum laude: excellent performance showing soundness of knowledge, rich discursive articulation, appropriate expression, interest of critical contribution;

30: Excellent performance, complete, and appropriate knowledge, well-articulated and appropriately expressed, with interesting critical contributions;

29-27: Good performance, more than satisfactory knowledge, correct expression.

26-24: Standard performance, essential knowledge, but not comprehensive and/or not always correctly expressed;

23-21: Sufficient performance, general but superficial knowledge; often inappropriate expression and/or confused articulation of speech;

20-18: Poor performance, sufficient expression and articulation of speech with significant gaps;

<18: Insufficient performance, knowledge absent or very incomplete, lack of orientation in the discipline, poor and seriously flawed expression.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Bellucci