B4970 - Semiotics and Philosophy of Languages(1)

Learning outcomes

This course aims to outline the foundations of Semiotics, rooted, on one hand, in American pragmatist philosophy and, on the other, in Saussurian linguistics and the inheritance of structuralism as a whole. By the end of the course, the student will acquire an updated framework of key concepts in semiotics, in dialogue with the evolution of contemporary philosophical and linguistic thought. The main objective is to analyze the ways in which meaning is articulated through the mediation of languages in various discursive domains (arts, sciences, literature, audiovisual, etc.) and the logics through which it manifests in social and cultural phenomena.

Course contents

The course aims to illustrate the origins and evolution of semiotics as an autonomous disciplinary field, capable of offering an original philosophical perspective on the study of meaning and signification processes. Although reflection on signs and meaning runs, albeit with discontinuities and various “ostracisms,” throughout the history of philosophy, it is with the American pragmatist Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914) and the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913) that a distinctly semiotic line of thought emerges, separate from other philosophies of language. Starting from the 1970s, the works of these two “founding fathers” were revisited and further developed by scholars such as Umberto Eco, Algirdas Julien Greimas, Roman Jakobson, Jurij Lotman, and many others, contributing to the definition and consolidation of the scientific project of semiotics. This “dual origin,” both philosophical-pragmatist and linguistic-structural, will serve as the key to introducing the epistemology, main theoretical concepts, and empirical-analytical vocation of semiotics in the study of languages.

Readings/Bibliography

Selected readings:

Eco, Umberto (1984) Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio. Torino: Einaudi. (capitoli 1, 2 e 5).

Greimas, A.J. (1970) Del senso. Milano: Bompiani (capitoli: Considerazioni sul linguaggio, La struttura semantica, Per una semiotica del mondo naturale, Per una sociologia del senso comune.

Fabbri, Paolo; Marrone, Gianfranco (a cura di) (2001) Semiotica in nuce I. I fondamenti e l'epistemologia strutturale, Roma: Meltemi. (parte seconda, "L'epistemologia strutturalista": saggi di Ferdinand de Saussure, Louis Hjelmslev, Roland Barthes, Umberto Eco, Gilles Deleuze - parte quarta, "Senso e significazione": saggi di Louis Hjelmslev, Algirdas Greimas e Francois Rastier, Roman Jakobson).

Lotman, Jurij (1985) La semiosfera. L'asimmetria e il dialogo nelle strutture pensanti. Venezia: Marsilio (il capitolo sulla semiosfera)

Peirce. Charles S, "Una nuova lista di categorie", CP 1.545-59 e "L'interpretante logico finale", CP 5.464-5.494 (in Charles Sanders Peirce - Opere, a cura di Massimo Bonfantini, Milano: Bompiani).

Other texts will be suggested by the teacher during class and in the teaching materials.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, commented readings, class discussions and student presentations.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an oral interview aimed at assessing the student’s theoretical knowledge of the main methodologies of semiotic analysis and their ability to apply analytical categories to the analysis of texts.
There will be two exam sessions for each examination period, tentatively scheduled for January, March, June, July, September, and November (preferably during teaching breaks).

Evaluation criteria

 

• 30 cum laude is awarded for exams that demonstrate an outstanding mastery of the subject and semiotic metalanguage, accompanied by the ability to reflect critically and the original use of analytical tools.
• Excellent marks (28 to 30) are awarded for exams that demonstrate a perfect understanding of the subject and semiotic metalanguage, accompanied by the ability to reflect critically and the original use of analytical tools.
• Very good marks (24 to 27) are awarded for examination papers that demonstrate a good understanding of the topic and the ability to apply the relevant tools.
• Satisfactory marks (18 to 23) are awarded for examination papers that demonstrate basic knowledge and the ability to apply theories and methods of analysis.
• Gaps in preparation, lack of appropriate technical language and inability to apply the analytical tools will result in a deficient grade.

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 available on the dedicated section of "Virtuale" platform.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Mazzucchelli