Themes used to look at semiotics
Problem-solving, theory & communication strategiesUnbind
Rebind
1. Vilification (PS)Look at how vilification happens and what if anything could or should be done 2. Universal Numbers or not?(CS)Should representation of numbers be universal? Why or why not? How does this differ from language? 3. Rename a partner(CS)Have a partner tell you 3 things about her/himself and you must pick a new name for them based off of that information. 4. The unknown monster(CS)How to describe something newly created in the monster/fantasy world. Students get topics of monsters that have new terms to be negotiated 5. Talk over the warning signsTalk as a group and think of all the signs and symbols that help people understand safety of a situation. Decide if these are universal or could be misunderstood and perhaps life threatening. |
Extended interaction, Self Analysis & Biographic
Unbind
Rebind
1. Favorite numbers (SA)What is your favorite number and why? has it always been the same? Why did you pick this number? 2. Your name(SA)How did you get your name? Would your name have different meanings in other counties? If you were to pick a new name for yourself what would it be and why? 3. Childhood fears (SA)What were you most scared of as a child? Why and how did this come about? When if ever did you stop being scared of this 4. Universal comprehension of numbers (EI)An article of people’s universal comprehension of numbers. 5.Semiotics of Monsters (EI)http://www.semioticreview.com/index.php/thematic-issues/issue-monsters.html 6. People’s opinions of others (EI)Watch the video Conversation. Have students do an activity like this, or watch the video on mute first and have them describe what their first reaction are. Watch it with audio and hear what people have to say. Discuss as a class what came up in this activity. 7. safety rights (EI)Do we have the right to safety information?If so how should it be implemented? 8. Famous does not mean original (EI)On a side note, fame does not always mean original, as seen here. 9. Literacy level & symbols (EI)How does a Country’s literacy level influence its use of symbols? |
Data Analysis & explicit skill, Audio visual TextualUnbind
Rebind
1. Lotto (AV)Look at the lotto and people's belief in it. 2. “A boy named Sue” (AV)listen to this song and find out the meaning 3. Sea Monsters on maps (AV)http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-enchanting-sea-monsters-on-medieval-maps-1805646/?no-ist< 4. What does this poster mean? (AV)Do a semiotic analysis on a poster or advert of your choice. Here is an example of this. Follow up to example: do you agree with what this person had to say. Show the poster to the class first used in the video’s example and have the class do a quick analysis before watching the video, compare. 5. Safety sign companies (AV)Check out this video on a company that works at using semiotics for safety signs that are universally understood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ4DtJJSJQE6. Signs: Symbol, Index, Icon (AV)Think about all 3: Symbol, Icon, Index. Locate three works of design - one for each of the three modes of rhetorical appeal. Create two alternate versions of each, using the other appeals. For example, if the work uses Icon, create a version that uses Symbol and Index. 7. IKEA Manuals (AV)analyze ikea manuals, and repurpose the art in the manuals to change the meaning. 8. World numbers (DA)As a class look at the differences in the way countries represent numbers here. 9. Graphing fears (DA)look at different fears and categorize, graph and analyze your data 10. Survey people’s understanding of safety signs (DA)Create signs or using existing ones and survey multiple people to see what they think the meaning of the sign is
11. ¥100 knock products (DA)assignment: ¥100 Store Semiotics A sign is anything that can be used to tell a lie. -Umberto Eco, A Theory of Semiotics Make a visit to a ¥100 Store. Choose a product that uses persuasion to suggest it is something it is not: healthy, genuine, effective, etc. Carefully analyse the systems of signs present in the item, using techniques similar to those in class on the knockoff brand chocolate bar. Treat the item as expressing a rhetoric: a systematic series of signs and messages, all performing different tasks. Make reference to the various rhetorical strategies and appeals, denotative and connotative language, types of codes and their audiences. Write a descriptive essay, outlining the semiotic aspects of the item. Use Barthes's "Rhetoric of the Image" as an inspiration, if you need. The Semiotics of Food and Drink may also be helpful. Length: 500-1000 words. You may use illustrations and other diagrams.
12. Find 50 signs (DA)Visually document 50 signs. Label each one, and classify each example as indexical, iconic, or symbolic. Make sure each sign is one you have found and documented yourself - you may use photographs, sketches or text where appropriate. Ensure that you are choosing a wide variety of signs, and not limiting yourself to obvious examples such as icons, wayfinding signs, etc. Some signs may be difficult to classify, or may be difficult to designate as signs, but be prepared to justify their inclusion. |