教學大綱 Syllabus

科目名稱：比較符號學

Course Name: The Semiotics of East and West
  • 學年學期：113-1 Fall Semester, 2024
  • 科目代碼：555784001 Course No.555784001

修別：選

Type of Credit: Elective

3.0

學分數

Credit(s)

20

預收人數

Number of Students

課程資料Course Details
  • 開課單位：語言碩一、語言博一、語言碩二、語言博二 Course Department:Institute of Linguistics/G/1&2
  • 授課老師：戴智偉 Instructor: DE BUSSER RIK LOUIS JOSE
  • 先修科目：無Prerequisite(N/A)
  • 上課時間：三234 Session: wed09-12

課程簡介Course Description

When East meets West confusion often ensues. In recent decades, globalization has brought Eastern and Western cultures in increasingly close contact, but the two sides do not always understand each other equally well. This is an interdisciplinary course comparing meaning systems in East Asian and Western cultures. Through studying basic works in semiotics (the study of signs and their meaning) and specific case studies, discussions, and personal research, you will get a more systematic insight in the differences and similarities between how Eastern and Western cultures encode meaning in various social environments.

The course is entirely taught in English.

核心能力分析圖 Core Competence Analysis Chart

能力項目說明

    課程目標與學習成效Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes

    This is a course in comparative semiotics, with a specific focus on the similarities and difference between East Asian and Western cultures. Semiotics is the study of signs and sign systems. Based on general readings in semiotic theory, participants in this course will discuss the similarities and differences between how different cultures in East Asia and the West conceptualize meaning through different sign systems, such as language, human interaction, media, art, fashion, religion, social display, etc.

    In this course, students will learn:

    • To understand basic concepts in semiotic theory and differences between semiotic theories
    • To apply these concepts to the analysis of semiotic phenomena (signs and sign systems)
    • To critically compare sign systems in Eastern and Western cultures

    At the end of this course, students will have achieved the following:

    • Gained a general understanding of the field of semiotics
    • Understand how to apply semiotic theory to the comparative analysis of sign systems, specifically in the comparison of Eastern and Western culture
    • Have gained a better understanding of similarities and differences in semiotic systems belonging to Eastern and Western cultures

    This is an interdisciplinary course. It does not require any specific background knowledge. Students of diverse cultural and academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply and contribute their personal expertise.

    每周課程進度與作業要求 Course Schedule & Requirements

    教學週次Course Week 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type
    • This course is based on interaction and requires active contributions from all students.
    • Students are expected to prepare the weekly required readings.
    • Students are required to give 1 or 2 presentations throughout the semester on a topic related to the course.
    • Students are required to write a final paper.

    Week

    Class content and reading

    Class and after-class activities

    Expected course load

    1

    Introduction

    Lecture, discussion

    3

    2

    Languages and scripts

    Lecture, discussion

    5

    3

    Human interaction: non-verbal communication and politeness

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    4

    Human interaction: emotions and affection

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    5

    Public information: signs, warnings and social space

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    6

    Public information: news, advertising and democracy

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    7

    Tokens of identity: local, national and regional identities

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    8

    The meaning of beauty: art and entertainment

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    9

    Midterm discussion

    Excursion, discussion

    5

    10

    The meaning of beauty: beautiful people

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    11

    The meaning of space: semiotic landscapes

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    12

    Public and private space: the semiotics of the footpath

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    13

    The semiotics of movement: the meaning of travel

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    14

    Beliefs: Religion, rituals, and good luck

    Lecture, discussion, presentation

    5

    15

    Signs of success: A good life

    Excursion, discussion

    5

    16

    Are we thinking differently?  Signs of celebration

    Discussion

    3

    17

    Evaluation

    Self-study

    3

    18

    Final paper

    Self-study

    15

     

    授課方式Teaching Approach

    30%

    講述 Lecture

    40%

    討論 Discussion

    0%

    小組活動 Group activity

    0%

    數位學習 E-learning

    30%

    其他： Others: 獨立研究

    評量工具與策略、評分標準成效Evaluation Criteria

    • Attendance and participation in class (30%)
    • Presentations (30%)
    • Final paper (40%)

    For the final paper, you have to choose a topic and propose a research plan in a mid-term report. In order to pass your essay you need to demonstrate that:

    • You understand the information presented to you during the lectures and in your required reading.
    • You are able to conduct independent academic research, by correctly referring to linguistic studies that are not part of the course materials or reference materials.
    • You are able to write a well-structured essay in English.
    • Students have an option to develop their final paper into a publication. If a sufficient number of students are willing to make an effort to do this during and after the semester, we will try to publish a volume.

    Attendance:

    • Students are required to attend class.

    Assignments:

    • Assignments have to be turned in on time. There is a penalty of 10% of your final grade for each day a submission is late.

    Plagiarism and the use of AI:

    • Any assignments should be original works written by the student themselves. Any form of plagiarism is forbidden.
    • The use of generative AI to generate or change content of assignments is not allowed, unless it is part of the research process or is used for illustrative purposes. Any use of generative AI tools should always be transparently indicated and should to be confirmed with the course coordinator.
    • If plagiarism or unauthorized use of generative AI is attested, students will fail the offending assignment. Serious cases might be referred to the university.

    . Grading scale:

     

    100-90

    89-
    85

    80-
    84

    79-
    77

    76-
    73

    72-
    70

    69-
    67

    66-
    63

    62-
    60

    59-
    50

    49-
    1

    0

    Rank

    A+

    A

    A-

    B+

    B

    B-

    C+

    C

    C-

    D

    E

    X

    GP

    4.3

    4

    3.7

    3.3

    3.0

    2.7

    2.3

    2.0

    1.7

    1.0

    0.0

    0.0

    Undergraduate pass threshold: 60 (C-)

    Graduate pass thresshold: 70 (B-)

    指定/參考書目Textbook & References

    Reading materials will be made available on Moodle before the beginning of the semester. Students are allowed to suggest alternative readings.

    Some introductory reading materials:

    Leeuwen, Theo van. 2005. Introducing Social Semiotics. London: Routledge.

    Sebeok, Thomas A. 2001. Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

    已申請之圖書館指定參考書目 圖書館指定參考書查詢 |相關處理要點

    維護智慧財產權，務必使用正版書籍。 Respect Copyright.

    課程相關連結Course Related Links

    
            
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
            
    
                
                
    
                
    課程附件Course Attachments
    
            
    
            
    
                
                
      
                
    
            
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
    
            
            
    
                
                
    
                    課程進行中，使用智慧型手機、平板等隨身設備
                    To Use Smart Devices During the Class
                
    
                
    
                        
                            需經教師同意始得使用
                        
                        Approval
                
    
            
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
    
            
    列印