132028 SE Close reading and presentations (2021S)

This seminar has two objectives. It aims to teach students theoretical concepts that can be effective for their respective projects. The focus of this seminar will be on texts by Juriy Lotman, the founder of the legendary Tartu School. The seminar will focus on its theory of semiotic space. It will make use from the method of Close Reading, which is to open up the text through intensive in-depth reading and the concentration on key concepts. The main text is The Universe of the Mind. A Semiotic Theory of Culture. Tauris, London/ New York 1990. In a second step, we want to ask ourselves how the theory can be applied in concrete terms.
The second objective of the course is the presentation of the respective projects of the students. It is important that the response is not only provided from the seminar leader, but also from the students. The presentation will take place in the context of a small conference probably in June. This seminar is organised by the Institute for European and Comparative Linguistics and Literature/Department of Finno-Ugristics, students from other institutes and subjects are welcome.