Semiotics, Pop Culture, Animals and the Environment

On-site in Tartu July 28 - August 7, 2024

This course will examine how the relationships and meanings associating humans, animals, and the environment are mediated, constructed, and perceived within pop culture. Animals, environments, and ecosystems – and their relationship to humans – will be examined within the context of spectacles, transmediality, participation culture, atmosphere, rationalization, and various perspectives in semiotics, including zoo and ecosemiotics.

Students can expect to gain a general overview and working knowledge of different semiotic and culture study views on animals, environments, and pop culture. Moreover, students will be able to identify key concepts and terms, and theoretical processes.

Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge through a presentation at the end of the course, in which they must examine an object of study by making use of a combination of theories discussed in the course. They may gain an extra credit by submitting, in addition to the presentation, a 300-500 word page explaining a key concept discussed in the course.

Focus area: Semiotics and Culture Studies Coordinating unit at UT

Department of Semiotics

Study Field: Semiotics, Culture Studies, Nonhuman Studies, Media Studies Course Leader Andrew Mark Creighton
Format Mixed: lectures, independent work Location Tartu, Estonia
Course dates: 28 July - 7 August 2024 Apply by: 30 April 2024
ECTS: 3 Fee: 550 €
Study group MA/PhD and advanced BA Language English

Lecturers:

  • Eleni Alexandri, PhD Candidate, University of Tartu
  • Andrew Mark Creighton, PhD Candidate, University of Tartu
  • Alexandra Milyakina, PhD
  • Nelly Mäekivi, PhD
  • Lona Päll, PhD Candidate, University of Tartu

Preliminary programme

Sunday, July 28
Arrival

Monday, July 29
Orientation

Tuesday, July 30
Spectacle
Enchantment

Wednesday, July 31
Participation culture
Transmediality

Thursday, August 1
Atmosphere and social environment
Atmosphere, media, and animals

Friday, August 2
Zoosemiotics
Zoological gardens
Animal extravaganzas

Saturday, August 3
Free day

Sunday, August 4
Free day

Monday, August 5
Ecosemiotics
Culture and environment
Ecology and media

Tuesday, August 5
Free workday

Wednesday, August 6
Presentations

Thursday, August 7
Departure

Entry requirements:

  • Online application form
  • Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
  • Transcript of academic records
  • Copy of passport

PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.

Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge through a presentation at the end of the course, in which they must examine an object of study by making use of a combination of theories discussed in the course.

Students completing the course will:

  • Gain knowledge of relevant theoretical views on other-than-human – human relations and pop culture.
  • Understand the transdisciplinary nature of studying these relations.
  • Apply these perspectives to an object of study
  • Gain relevant knowledge and information to, independently, further their studies in the topic.

Two weeks prior to the start of the programme an information file will be sent to all participants. This file contains the daily schedule and relevant contact information of the programme managers.

Students are responsible for their travel, accommodation and travel insurance (visa arrangements if needed) from their home country to Tartu and back to their home country. It is recommended to visit the Tartu Welcome Centre website and arrival and housing section to find accommodation opportunities.

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