CMST 2BB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Michel Foucault, Popol Vuh, Roland Barthes
6 Mar 2016
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Document Summary
Semiotics can be defined as the study of signs: how they work and (cid:1) how we use them. Applies broadly to the study of language (words, gestures) and visual images such as (photography, film, advertising) Two early semioticians: ferdinand de saussure & roland barthes. Anything that stands for something else in production of meaning, it can include words, photographs, sounds and gestures. 3 main characteristics: physical form, refers to something other than itself, it is recognized as a sign. Made up of two equal parts: 1) signifier-the form which the sign takes, 2) signified-the meaning of the sign (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Refers to the relationship between the signifier and the signified. A sign must have both the signifier and the signified. They are linked through the mind through association they don"t have to be iconic. An urban text tells us stories about the city. A community center, a subway stop, a wall covered in signs.
