You are required to turn in a set of notes taken based on the reading assigned for the week. These notes will consist of the following:
-Two (2) quotes/passages from the reading will be used for discussion in class.
-Analyze each quote: Why did you choose the quote? How is it important?
-One question you have for the class (which means that you will have an answer for this question that you will share with the class after we have discussed and attempted to answer the question you present to us).
-One question that you have for the professor regarding the reading that you need to be answered.
-One short, informal reflective paragraph on the reading for the week.
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Introduction to Semiotics:
Origins:
-Linguistic Theory
Modifiers canchange the meaning of language/ words
Ex.Jump (root word)
Add a suffix, such as ed and Jumpbecomes Jumped
(from present to past tense)
Roland Barthes
-Frenchman whotook the Semiotic linguistic theory and applied it to culture
-WHY? He arguesthat written language is only one form of communication
If semiotics decodes writtenlanguage then it can be used to decode other forms
ofcommunication
-In his book ofshort essays, titled Mythologies, Barthes uses semiotics to analyze
differentelements of French culture, such as striptease, wrestling, toys and
butter
*By analyzing popculture/ ethnic culture Barthes was able to decode and understand
theunderlying messages being communicated, thus, gaining an in-depth
understandingof the French
Basic Elements of Semiotic Analysis:
Semiotics: means the study of signs.
SIGN
-To find meaning, interpret, and write effectively about the signsof popular culture.
-Anything can be taken as a sign- a message to be decoded andanalyzed to discover its
Meaning
-The point of semiotics is that all social behavior is politicalin the sense that it
reflects some personal or group interests.
–The Semiotic Method:
Semiotics is about signs, symbols ideology, and power.
Analyze and question everything.
Everything carries meaning, therefore, everything is a sign.
Signs carry multiple meanings, so the meaning of a sign lies inits relations to other signs,
Signsare also influenced by historical context.
-Cultural Mythologies: Beliefs taught by a society/culture to its population and
accepted as truth, but have no basisin fact.
CulturalMyths may change over time, but do so slowly
MostCommon Types of Cultural Myths:
Gender: Beliefs about what is expectedof and makes a male or female ideal
Race: Beliefs about race (often commonstereotypes) that label an entire group in a
positiveor negative fashion.
Class: Beliefs about socioeconomicstatus (Upper Class, Middle Class, Working Class)
Beauty: Beliefs about what isconsidered to be beautiful; often a very narrow &
unrealistic view of beauty.
Nationalism: Extreme patriotism that involves a view thatones nation is always correct
andsuperior.
The Nuclear Family: The belief of the perfect family isCaucasian and consists of a
husband,wife, 2-3 children, and 1-2 pets, usually middle to the upper class.
Rugged Individualism: The idealization of the self-made man,pioneer, explorer… a
a loner witha heart of gold and a spirit for adventure.
First Steps in Semiotic Analysis:
1. Everything is a Sign and Every Sign has Multiple Meanings:
Example- RED
The color red can mean…. death, blood, danger, love, lust,tomato, fire, cherry jolly rancher
2. Because a sign ON ITS OWN has so many possiblemeanings… it means nothing
Which of the above meanings is correct??
3. A signs meaning becomes clear only in its connection toother signs:
Example- RED& Tight Dress with Low Cleavage… lust, danger, fire
OR
Example- RED& a loose-fitting skirt with a turtle neck.. love, passion
*Once a sign is connected to other signs a specific meaningemerges and the message is communicated*
Categories for analysis:
Colors
Shapes
Body Language
Text
Clothing
Setting
Fact/ Idea List:
(sign)/ Meaning
Fact:Red
Ideas: death, blood, danger, love, lust, tomato, fire,cherry jolly rancher
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