Analysis of Cultural Products I

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The classes will take place in the classroom. Expositive component, as well as analysis and discussion of texts and materials previously provided, some of which will be presented by the students.

Learning Outcomes

The student should have/be able to:
a. Acquire knowledge as a basis for originality in the development and/or application of ideas in the context of research in modern European literatures, cultures and societies.
b. Apply knowledge and problem solving skills in multidisciplinary contexts related to modern European literatures, cultures and societies.
c. Locate specialized bibliographic sources on modern European literatures, cultures, and societies, as well as handle online and offline documentary collections applying information technologies.
d. Know different methodologies for the interpretation of texts on modern European literatures, cultures and societies.
e. Knowledge of the different contact situations between modern European literatures, cultures and societies.
f. Incorporate the study of heritage cultures in the comparative research of European literatures, cultures and societies.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Seven broad topics are discussed in the course: 1) Norms, taboos, transgressions, censorship; bienséance and vraisemblance; political correctness and self-censorship. 2) Realism, effect of reality, imaginaries; fake news, fact-checking. 3) Semiotics, types of signs, motivated/arbitrary; semiotic channels and medium (characteristics, complementarity, interactions). 4) Reading paths and interpretation; semiotic medium as part of the meaning (reflexivity); the medium (McLuhan). 5) Metanarratives; narrative structure and actantial model; myths (Barthes); trends and popularity; social media, hashtag, viral phenomena etc. 6) Perspective, point of view; observer, receiver, user; subjectivity/objectivity; new media vs. traditional media. 7) Intertextuality, mise en abyme (reflexivity), stylistic devices (metonymy, metaphors etc.); new and traditional media in the French-speaking world.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
The assessment criteria is defined by the University of Turku: 100.0%

Bibliography

NA