Semiotics and theory of symbols

Objectives of the course

• To understand the definitions of language, which are present in the 20th century linguistics;
• problematisation of definitions – questioning definitions;
• to place linguistic sciences into a wider cultural context;
• to spread the epistemological frame of linguistic sciences;
• to study alternative possibilities of the linguistic knowledge application.

Prerequisites

Not required.

Assessment methods

Written exam, seminar paper, oral exam.

Course contents

The course dels with the basic concepts of semiotics and the theory of symbols. Students try to understand, analyse and define the notion of a sign, particularly in relation to llanguage and languages. Different types of signs (marks, icons, symbols…) are studied. The question of the definition of language as a system of signs, as well as the problems related to arbitrariness and conventionality are dealt with. Students will learn the relationship between signs and texts and the conveyance of meaning (especially mataphorisation). Discussions of the questions related to poetics (in the sense of poiesis) and interpretation (hermeneutics) of texts will be based on two expressions, allegorical and mythological. Several symbols present in our culture will be studied: script, book, language, the four elements (earth, water, fire, air), mother and father, numbers. The roles of symbols in our culture (in mistery plays, in ceremonial rites, in cabalistic and alchemistic traditions…) will be discussed and the link to religion will be estasblished.

Recommended reading

• Lecture notes A (anthology of texts chosen by the lecturer);
• Grgič, M. (soon available) Logos, simbol in mit. Vprašanja semiotike in filozofije jezika. Maribor: Študentska založba Litera (Nova znamenja).
• Trabant, J. ― Eschbach, A. (1983) History of semiotics. Amsterdam ― Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company; ali:
• Calabrese, O. (2001) Breve storia della semiotica. Dai Presocratici a Hegel. Milano: Feltrinelli.