UCL - General Semiotics

[COMU1121]

[30h] 6 credits

This course is taught in the 2d semester.

Teacher(s): Philippe Verhaegen

Language: French

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

At the end of this course the student will be able
-to present and discuss the major theoretical and conceptual framework for the study of sign systems (digital and analog)
-locate semiotics in the field of information science and Communication
-to undertake a systematic analysis and rigorous basic semiotic devices (media linking text and image)

Main themes

Part ex cathedra addresses the general theory of signs.
- Notions of Linguistics saussurian (elements of syntax and semantics) and introduction to semiology structurale (Buyssens, Prieto, Hjelmslev, Barthes, Eco, ...).
- Definition of pragmatic language ( analysis of the interactional and déïctique: Austin, Searle, Ducrot, ...) and general (Jakobson, Bateson, Goffman, ...).
- Notions of semiotics and cognitive inferential: presupposition, indirection, interpretation (Grice, Peirce, Sperber and Wilson ...).

Content and teaching methods

The course begins its reflection from a semiotic "restricted", that which followed the language of F. de Saussure-semiology structurale-interest to then, with the current pragmatic, the contexts of interaction and finally lead to a semiotic "expanded", that of CS Peirce interpretation which places the center of the operation of various types of signs. In doing so, the course covers, discusses and compares the basic concepts of each course and tries to reflect the specific point of view taken by each of them: the meaning of the sign, the relationship caused by him or the interpretation against them and at the same time is. The course seeks to better illustrate each concept and to do so frequently resorted to regular communication devices: interactive situations, newspapers, TV shows, pubs, posters, web sites, etc.. The syllabus and portfolio texts allow the student to return to their notions from scientific contexts.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation: The evaluation focuses on understanding and assimilation of concepts and theoretical frameworks discussed both during and in the portfolio of texts and on the ability of students to apply them to the analysis of devices sémiotic basic questions.
Support: syllabus and portfolio of key texts
Other: This course is part of the minor in information and communication.