8. Semiotics and Structuralism

Introduction to Theory of Literature (ENGL 300)Uploaded 01-09-09In this lecture, Professor Paul Fry explores the semiotics movement through the work of its founding theorist, Ferdinand de Saussure. The relationship of semiotics to hermeneutics, New Criticism, and Russian formalism is considered. Key semiotic binaries--such as langue and parole, signifier and signified, and synchrony and diachrony--are explored. Considerable time is spent applying semiotics theory to the example of a "red light" in a variety of semiotic contexts.00:00 - Chapter 1. What is Semiology?08:34 - Chapter 2. "Langue" and "Parole," "Signified" and "Signifier"27:08 - Chapter 3. Positive and Negative Knowledge: Arbitrary and Differential33:11 - Chapter 4. Example: the Red Stoplight45:55 - Chapter 5. Synchrony and DiachronyComplete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/coursesThis course was recorded in Spring 2009. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices