Semiotics
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the core knowledge of the themes and problems that characterize the contemporary debate in semiotics. The acquired competences and notions are of use for activities that primarily rest on activities of communication and editorial activities.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- At the end of the course, the student has acquired a general understanding of the contemporary debate in semiotics and of the relationships between signs, world, and society.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
- At the end of the course, the student is able to address themes and questions in semiotics following a rigorous and critical method.
- In addition, the student has an understanding of the state of the art with respect to the study of signs and to the study of the relationships between signs, world, and society.
- At the end of the course, the student has acquired a general understanding of the contemporary debate in semiotics and of the relationships between signs, world, and society.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
- At the end of the course, the student is able to address themes and questions in semiotics following a rigorous and critical method.
- In addition, the student has an understanding of the state of the art with respect to the study of signs and to the study of the relationships between signs, world, and society.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
[A]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. The recordings of the lessons will remain available for the entire semester.
Online environments used:
Ariel : https://aborghinis.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Team: Semiotica Fall 2021 (CODE: zfu5cp0)
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. The recordings of the lessons will remain available for the entire semester.
Online environments used:
Ariel : https://aborghinis.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Team: Semiotica Fall 2021 (CODE: zfu5cp0)
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
Course syllabus
Food is one of the most central forms of soft power today. During this course we study the structures (natural, psychological, social, semantic) through which food comes to afford such a form of power. The first unit introduces the most fundamental concepts and, among them, the natural structures. The second unit focuses on psychological structures. Finally, the third unit deals with social and semantic structures dai media.
Prerequisites for admission
Reading proficiency in English.
Teaching methods
The course alternates lecturing and Q&A.
Use of slides, media and apps to highlight theoretical and axiological aspects of food communication.
Use of slides, media and apps to highlight theoretical and axiological aspects of food communication.
Teaching Resources
Shared readings for exams worth both 6 cfu and 9 cfu (please see the Ariel site of the course for the materials):
Lorenzo Baravalle, Evoluzione e cultura, Roma, Carocci, 2018
Claudia Bianchi, Pragmatica cognitiva. I meccanismi della comunicazione, Laterza, 2009, capitoli 1 e 3
Andrea Borghini e Elena Casetta, Filosofia della biologia, Roma, Carocci, capitoli 2, 3, 10
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e Filosofia del linguaggio, Torino, Einaudi, 1984, Capitoli 1 e 3.1-3.2
Fiona MacPherson, "Taxonomising the Senses", Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 2011
Nicola Perullo, Epistenologia. Il vino e la creatività del tatto, Mimesis, 2016
Steven Shapin, "The Tastes of Wine", Rivista di estetica, 2012
Charles Spence, Gastrofisica. La nuova scienza del mangiare, Readrink, 2020, Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12
Additional readings for the exam worth 9 cfu (please see the Ariel site of the course for the materials):
Carol Adams, Carne da macello. La politica sessuale della carne, Vanda Epublishing, 2020 (1990)
Andrea Borghini, "Gustare la natura. Riflessioni estetiche tra gastronomia e biologia', in N. Perullo (ed.), Cibo, estetica e arte: convergenze tra filosofia, semiotica e storia, ETS, Pisa, 2014: 33-46
Andrea Borghini e Andrea Baldini, "Cooking as a Form of Public Art," Food, Culture, and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2021.1890891
Maria Elena Garcia, "The Taste of Conquest", The Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology, 2013
Jonathan Leer, "The Rise and Fall of the New Nordic Cuisine", Journal of Aesthetics and Culture, 2013
Gianfranco Marrone e Alice Giannitrapani, Mangiare. Istruzioni per l'uso, Edizioni Nuova Cultura, 2013, pp. 69-78 e 199-212
Michael Pollan, "Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch," The New York Times, August 2, 2009
Ryan Unger, "The Untold Truth of Mukbang," Mashed, 8 gennaio (2020)
Lorenzo Baravalle, Evoluzione e cultura, Roma, Carocci, 2018
Claudia Bianchi, Pragmatica cognitiva. I meccanismi della comunicazione, Laterza, 2009, capitoli 1 e 3
Andrea Borghini e Elena Casetta, Filosofia della biologia, Roma, Carocci, capitoli 2, 3, 10
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e Filosofia del linguaggio, Torino, Einaudi, 1984, Capitoli 1 e 3.1-3.2
Fiona MacPherson, "Taxonomising the Senses", Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 2011
Nicola Perullo, Epistenologia. Il vino e la creatività del tatto, Mimesis, 2016
Steven Shapin, "The Tastes of Wine", Rivista di estetica, 2012
Charles Spence, Gastrofisica. La nuova scienza del mangiare, Readrink, 2020, Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12
Additional readings for the exam worth 9 cfu (please see the Ariel site of the course for the materials):
Carol Adams, Carne da macello. La politica sessuale della carne, Vanda Epublishing, 2020 (1990)
Andrea Borghini, "Gustare la natura. Riflessioni estetiche tra gastronomia e biologia', in N. Perullo (ed.), Cibo, estetica e arte: convergenze tra filosofia, semiotica e storia, ETS, Pisa, 2014: 33-46
Andrea Borghini e Andrea Baldini, "Cooking as a Form of Public Art," Food, Culture, and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2021.1890891
Maria Elena Garcia, "The Taste of Conquest", The Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology, 2013
Jonathan Leer, "The Rise and Fall of the New Nordic Cuisine", Journal of Aesthetics and Culture, 2013
Gianfranco Marrone e Alice Giannitrapani, Mangiare. Istruzioni per l'uso, Edizioni Nuova Cultura, 2013, pp. 69-78 e 199-212
Michael Pollan, "Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch," The New York Times, August 2, 2009
Ryan Unger, "The Untold Truth of Mukbang," Mashed, 8 gennaio (2020)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam, consisting of several questions prompting for a short or mid-length answer. The exam tests the understanding of key concepts, the capacity to draw comparisons among them and the capacity to build arguments supporting or critically analyzing the theoretical perspectives discussed during the course.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
[B]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Teaching methods:
If on-site classes will not be possible, the lectures will be online with synchronized videoconferences using Teams or Zoom.
If on-site classes will not be possible, the lectures will be online with synchronized videoconferences using Teams or Zoom.
Course syllabus
The course will focus on general elements of semiotics and elements of pragmatics of language, with particular attention to some problematic aspects of communication, and their connection with the phenomenon of discrimination.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites.
Teaching methods
Synchronous lectures. At the end of each module, a class will be dedicated to a general discussion on the topics of the module.
Teaching Resources
Part in common program 6 and 9 credits:
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e Filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, 1984 [Chapter 1]
C. Bianchi, Pragmatica cognitiva. I meccanismi della comunicazione, Laterza, 2009 [Chapters 1-3]
C. Bianchi, Hate speech. Il lato oscuro del linguaggio, Laterza, 2021 [Chapters 1-2]
G. Torrengo, "The Ontology of Discrimination", Grazer Philosophische Studien
Additional part for the 9 cfu program:
Andrea Borghini e Elena Casetta, Filosofia della biologia, Carocci, 2013 [Chapter 8]
C. Bianchi, Hate speech. Il lato oscuro del linguaggio, Laterza, 2021 [Chapters 3-4]
2 articles chosen from a list that will be made available on Ariel before the course starts, along with other supporting material.
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e Filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, 1984 [Chapter 1]
C. Bianchi, Pragmatica cognitiva. I meccanismi della comunicazione, Laterza, 2009 [Chapters 1-3]
C. Bianchi, Hate speech. Il lato oscuro del linguaggio, Laterza, 2021 [Chapters 1-2]
G. Torrengo, "The Ontology of Discrimination", Grazer Philosophische Studien
Additional part for the 9 cfu program:
Andrea Borghini e Elena Casetta, Filosofia della biologia, Carocci, 2013 [Chapter 8]
C. Bianchi, Hate speech. Il lato oscuro del linguaggio, Laterza, 2021 [Chapters 3-4]
2 articles chosen from a list that will be made available on Ariel before the course starts, along with other supporting material.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam, with multiple choice and open questions.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)