Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

160153 PS Advanced Methods - Social Semiotics (2024W)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 16 - Musikwissenschaft und Sprachwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 21.01. 12:30-14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 01.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 08.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 15.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 22.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 29.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 05.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 12.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 19.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 26.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 03.12. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 10.12. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 17.12. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 07.01. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 14.01. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Tuesday 28.01. 12:30 - 14:00 Hörsaal 1 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course provides a practical introduction to social semiotics, a critical approach to the study of multimodal discourse. The term ‘multimodality’ refers to the convergence of various semiotic resources (‘modes’) in human communication, alongside and beyond language: for example, images, sound, gesture, gaze. Stemming from systemic functional linguistics, social semiotics is thus a critical discourse analytical framework that focuses on more than just language and is thereby widely applicable in the study of meaning-making across a variety of genres and media. Based on an understanding of meaning as something social actors make through their choices in concrete settings, social semiotic concepts enable analysts to conduct in-depth situated examinations of everyday meaning-making in a critical vein.

The main aim of the course is that students acquire a solid understanding of social semiotic theory which will enable them to implement social semiotic methods in their own work. The course’s sessions will consist in (i) introducing social semiotic concepts through analytical examples, and (ii) student presentations and discussions based on salient theoretical topics and empirical examples. Students will also conduct hands-on analyses of varied everyday texts and artefacts from various semiotic domains and genres, including still images (e.g. photography, street signs), typography (e.g. fonts, layout), social media technologies, internet memes, video games, webpages, music, and buildings. Besides in-class work, students will also have two analytical assignments, one of which will be on a topic of their choice.

By the end of the course, students should have:
- familiarized themselves with social semiotic theory and its key concepts and goals;
- learned how to apply social semiotic tools to produce their own analyses by making informed methodological decisions;
- developed their critical discourse analytical skills by working both independently and within a team of analysts;
- acquired an understanding of multimodality that they can critically apply in their academic work and everyday life;
- improved their public presentation, academic writing, and argumentation skills.

The course will be held in English, on campus.

Assessment and permitted materials

The course will rely on continuous assessment. The students’ final grade will be determined by:
(a) class preparation and participation – 10%
(b) a group presentation and student-led discussion – 30%
(c) two assignments assigned over the course of the semester – 60% (30% each)

Detailed information on the assessment scheme can be found on Moodle.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

No prior background knowledge on social semiotics or multimodal discourse analysis is required.

Students will be assessed on the basis of their contribution to the course throughout the semester following the assessment scheme. Attendance is mandatory (max. 3 absences).

Examination topics

Class discussions; readings; group presentations; analytical assignments

Reading list

The reading list for the course can be found on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

BA-M12
MA2-M3-2

Last modified: Tu 24.09.2024 15:46