Aims

By the end of the course, students will have:
a good understanding of the semiotic models and concepts relating to analogue messages;
the ability to analyse the semantic content of an analogue message, and to formulate
hypotheses on this reception.

Main themes

The course aims to provide theoretical and conceptual frameworks for the analysis of
Communications processes involving analogue signs.
The following three main themes will be addressed:
definition of the field of analogue communications in relation to that of digital
communications;
the various kinds of analogue signs;
the problem of the meaning of analogue signs;
the problem of the relationship involved by analogue communication;
the problem relating to the phenomena of perception, cognition and representation linked
to analogue communication.

Content and teaching methods

The course develops the main themes listed above through a systemic comparison between
verbal signs and analogue signs, and an approach to the following specific questions and notions:
- the psychological genesis of images;
- the perception of images and the psychological phenomena involved (e.g. participation
and identification);
- the semiological model of meaning (denotation and connotation), and criticism thereof;
- the question of polysemia;
- metaphor and metonymy at the root of analogue meaning;
- the relationship between image and cognition.
Methodology
The course will include lectures illustrated by analyses of concrete examples of images and
other kinds of analogue
signs. There will also be analytical exercises to be completed by small groups.

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

Pre requirements: ESPO course in Sociology (second year of first cycle).
Assessment will include a theoretical section, and another sector involving concrete analysis.
Help from an Assistant in the supervision of exercises is desirable.

Other credits in programs