Introduction to Social Semiotics, Part 2: Constructing agency

Please, observe that there are some new times and venues in comparison with the original programme- 19.3. LECTURE HAS BEEN CANCELLED

• 26.3. Fri 10-12 U37, seminar room 4
• 9.4. Fri 10-12 and 12-14 U37, seminar room 4
• 16.4. and 23.4. Fri 10-12 U37, seminar room 4 and 12-14 U37, seminar room 1
• 30.4. Fri 10-12 and 12-14 U37, seminar room 4
• 7.5. Fri 10-14 Examination at U37, seminar room 4

Prerequisites

Students should have basic knowledge of narrative semiotics, either from literature or from the course Introduction to Social Semiotics in 2009, or from Jukka Törrönen’s course of Qualitative Methods 2009.

Compensations

• In sociology, 5 credits in Unit 75410 (New Initiatives in Sociological Debate) or in Unit 75632 (Qualitative Research Methods in Sociology), also for the REMS Master's programme students
• Also part of the MA Programme in Semiotics

Content

In structured texts as well as in everyday language we construct agengy. Agency is something opposed to being merely programmed to act or to be something, neither is it arbitrary reaction to outside impulses. To construct agency in language we use modalities (somebody knows how, is entitled to, must or can do or be something) and enunciative structures (knowing or believing). Anyone who needs to analyse textual materials must know how agency is constructed in them. The theory of agency is closely linked to Pragmatism and Practice Theory but it is also relevant in diagnostics of contemporary individualistic societies and the study of social movements.

Further details are given in a separate file (please see the link at the bottom of this page).

Completion

The course consists of attending the lectures, reading required books and articles and submitting a written work.