Faculty Course: Semiotics as Theory and Method, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course introduces semiotics as an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on the concepts of sign, meaning, communication, culture, cognition, etc. The course discusses various theories and research areas within semiotics, e.g., cultural semiotics, cognitive semiotics, visual and social semiotics. Basing on these theories, the student writes a semiotic analysis of a certain phenomenon and presents it in a written and oral form.
 
The course consists of two parts:
Semiotics I (discussion), 5 credits
Semiotics II (oral presentation and final assignment), 2,5 credits

Expected learning outcomes

To be awarded a Pass grade, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• account for the semiotic theories and methods discussed in the course
• account for methods and underlying theories in a number of studies

Competence and skills

• compare different semiotic methods and relate these methods to their own analysis
• use various semiotic theories and methods in their own study
• apply various semiotic methods in their own material
• account for and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which these are based, both orally and in writing

Judgement and approach

• independently assess and critically evaluate semiotic studies
• independently evaluate various academic presentations  
• relate to semiotic theories in their own study 

Required Knowledge

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6
one of the following alternatives:
1) Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS)
2) 90 ECTS, of which at least 7,5 ECTS must come from an independent project, or equivalent qualifications

Form of instruction

Instruction consists of group discussions and compulsory seminars. 
English is the medium of instruction.

Examination modes

Examination consists of assessment of students' contributions to seminars (Semiotics I; 5 credits) and of the oral and written presentation of the final assignment (Semiotics II; 2.5 credits).

The examiner can decide on deviations from the modes of examination in the syllabus for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination will be adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes. Student in need of Individual adjustments to the mode of examination, should request this at the department no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner makes a decision based on the request, and the decision is communicated to the student.  

Grades awarded are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)), Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). In order to be awarded the grade Pass with distinction on the entire course, a student must have achieved a Pass with distinction grade on both modules.

A student who has been awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.

A student who has not received a Pass grade on an exam has the right to re-take the exam (a re-sit) on a course on which they have ever been registered. The first re-sit shall be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of that exam has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit may be offered within three months of the regular exam. The date for the re-sit shall be announced no later than in conjunction with the regular exam. At least one more re-sit shall be offered within a year of the regular exam.  

In cases where an exam cannot be repeated according to the rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be reasonably proportionate to the missed exam.

An examiner may decide that a student who has not quite met the examination requirements, but is close to a Pass grade, be given the opportunity to take a supplementary examination to achieve the Pass grade. Such an examination shall be individually tailored to the goal(s) that the student has not met, and shall be arranged within two weeks after the result of the examination has been announced, but before the next examination session. A supplementary examination can only raise a Fail grade to a Pass grade; award of a grade higher than Pass is not allowed. If the student so wishes, they have the right to take a re-sit instead of a supplementary examination, which gives them the opportunity to achieve a Pass with Distinction.

Other regulations

The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.

In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.