Semiotics, Pop Culture, Animals and the Environment

On-site in Tartu July 31 - August 10, 2023

This course will examine how the relationships and meanings associating humans, animals, and the environment are mediated, constructed, and perceived within pop culture. Animals, environments, and ecosystems – and their relationship to humans – will be examined within the context of spectacles, transmediality, participation culture, atmosphere, rationalization, and various perspectives in semiotics, including zoo and ecosemiotics.

Students can expect to gain a general overview and working knowledge of different semiotic and culture study views on animals, environments, and pop culture. Moreover, students will be able to identify key concepts and terms, and theoretical processes.

Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge through a presentation at the end of the course, in which they must examine an object of study by making use of a combination of theories discussed in the course. They may gain an extra credit by submitting, in addition to the presentation, a 300-500 word page explaining a key concept discussed in the course.