Semiotics
A.Y. 2020/2021
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: First semester
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Classes will be held online, in synchronous mode, and will be recorded. They will alternate lecturing and seminarial discussion. Additional information will be provided on the Ariel site for the course.
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 is devoted to natural structures. The second unit focuses on psychological structures. Finally, the third unit deals with social and semantic structures dai media.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite to enroll.
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
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" (ms.)
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
Bruce Halpern, "What's in a Name? Are MSG and Umami the Same?", Senses, 2002
Fiona MacPherson, "Taxonomising the Senses", Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 2011
Steven Shapin, "The Tastes of Wine", Rivista di estetica, 2012
Charles Spence, Gastrophysics. The New Science of Eating, New York, Viking, 2017, Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12
Sugar, "But What Does Umami Taste Like?", Vox, 2018
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)
Baldini & Borghini, "Cooking as a Form of Public Art" (ms)
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
Lorenzo Baravalle, Evoluzione e cultura, Roma, Carocci, 2018
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" (ms.)
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
Bruce Halpern, "What's in a Name? Are MSG and Umami the Same?", Senses, 2002
Fiona MacPherson, "Taxonomising the Senses", Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 2011
Steven Shapin, "The Tastes of Wine", Rivista di estetica, 2012
Charles Spence, Gastrophysics. The New Science of Eating, New York, Viking, 2017, Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12
Sugar, "But What Does Umami Taste Like?", Vox, 2018
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)
Baldini & Borghini, "Cooking as a Form of Public Art" (ms)
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
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral 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
Professor(s)