78904 - Semiotics of Memory (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have achieved the necessary tools to critically elaborate the main themes and aspects relating to cultural memory's problems in a semiotic perspective.

Course contents

Memory studies is a relatively young academic field that aims at an interdisciplinary study of collective forms of remembering and of processes of construction, transmission, and "invention" of the past in contemporary societies and in contexts characterised by an inherent "semiotic complexity". At the same time, memory studies is often in constant dialogue with other disciplines dealing with memory (philosophy, sociology, psychology, semiotics, cognitive science, anthropology, history, archaeology, etc.).

The course will introduce and critically discuss the current debate in the field of memory studies, considering the main issues and questions from a semiotic perspective. Starting from a critical discussion of the concept of collective memory, the various "discursive arenas" (media discourse, historical discourse, legal discourse, political discourse, artistic discourse...) that shape shared - as well as individual - memories (and consequently collective and individual identities) will be highlighted.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings:

• Erll, A., Memory in Culture, New York: Palgrave, 2011
• Mazzucchelli, F. (2023) Italian Semiotics of Memory: Genealogies and Current Perspectives, «ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR SEMIOTIK», 44, pp. 49 - 82.
• Lorusso, A.M. (2015) Cultural Semiotics. For a Cultural Perspective in Semiotics. Palgrave Macmillan [chapters 3 & 4]
• Tamm, M. (2019) “Introduction: Juri Lotman’s Semiotic Theory of History and Cultural Memory”
• Violi, P. (2017) Landscapes of Memory. Trauma, Space, History, Peter Lang [Chapter 1 and 2]

Key thinkers and general notions of semiotics of memory and memory studies:

• Assmann, A. (2008) “Canon and Archive”. In: Erll, A.; Nünning, A. (eds.), A companion to cultural memory studies, Berlin, New York: De Gruyter.
• Assmann, J. (2008) “Communicative and Cultural Memory”. In: Erll, A.; Nünning, A. (eds.), A companion to cultural memory studies, Berlin, New York: De Gruyter.
  
• Eco, U. (1988) “An Ars Oblivionalis? Forget it!”, in PMLA, Vol.103, n.3, 254-261.
• Eco, U. (2013) “Against the Loss of Memory”, New York: United Nations [available online]
• Halbwachs, M. (1950) “Space and the Collective Memory”. In: Halbwachs, M, The Collective Memory, (Chapter 4).
  
• Hobsbawm, E. (2012). “Introduction: Inventing Traditions”. In E. Hobsbawm & T. Ranger (Eds.), The Invention of Tradition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-14
• Lotman, J, Uspensky, B., & Mihaychuk, G. (1978). “On the Semiotic Mechanism of Culture”. In: New Literary History, 9(2), 211-232.
• Nora, P. (1989) “Between Memory and History: Les Lieux de Mémoire”. In: Representations, N.26, Special Issue: Memory and Counter-Memory (Spring 1989), pp. 7-24.

Other texts will be suggested by the teacher along the course

Teaching methods

The course is articulated in frontal lessons with presentations and other materials that will be made available to students through IOL.

Collective discussions, analysis and tests are essential part of the course. Students are expected to participate actively to class discussions and attendance is highly recommended.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of a paper which will be discussed with the teacher in an oral exam, in which the student will be asked to defend the research hypothesis and the analysis carried out in the paper. The exam is aimed at assessing the understanding of the readings of the course and the capacity to apply this knowledge in the analysis of cultural memory issues.

Papers are expected to be between 4000 and 6000 words and have to be handed to the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the oral discussion. Final papers may be based on collective work in a group, and in this case their total length must be proportional to the number of people participating in the group.

Students who will not attend the course will have to present a paper of the same length on a topic previously agreed upon with the professor, and an oral examination on three of the papers from the reading list.

Discussions and presentations with students will be scheduled during the course for attending students.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Multimedial equipment of the class.

Slides and other teaching materials will be made available on "Virtuale".

Links to further information

https://centri.unibo.it/trame/

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Mazzucchelli