2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF2047 Image, Music, Text: Reading Roland Barthes

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Dr Eric Prenowitz
Email: e.prenowitz@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are expected to come equipped with research and essay writing skills appropriate to Level Two undergraduate study

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Through a detailed encounter with the work of Roland Barthes, this module offers an introduction to critical semiotics, a powerful tool for the analysis of visual, literary and musical ‘objects’. Students learn to use an array of semiological techniques, approaches and inspirations in their own critical and creative practices and in the analysis of popular culture and everyday life. The module begins by reading closely a selection of Barthes’ writings and considering their implications for the critical humanities. The second part of the module explores ways of using his theory of textuality to open readings of a series of cultural forms, particularly music and photography.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able use critical semiotics as a powerful tool for the analysis of a broad spectrum of cultural forms and artefacts. They will be able to discuss the range of Roland Barthes' output, from his early structuralism and semiotics to his later post-structuralist and autobiographical works. Students will be familiar with Barthes' influence on cultural analysis as well as his own historical and intellectual context. They will be able to use Barthes' techniques for the analysis of culture in their own critical practice. Students will be conversant with a range of issues in Barthes' work such as: mythology, narrative, fashion, writing, autobiography, photography, history, music and so on. Students will be able to situate critical semiotics in the larger intellectual history of the critical humanities.

Syllabus

This module offers an intensive introduction to critical semiotics and a detailed encounter with the work of Roland Barthes. It assesses Barthes' contribution to cultural analysis and examines the cultural, historical and intellectual contexts of his work. It also enables students to use Barthes' techniques for the analysis of culture in their own critical practice. The module is taught by two-hourly seminar blocks which are spent reading Barthes' texts in detail and discussing their place in and relevance for cultural analysis, The module follows a roughly chronological path through Barthes' work. Suggested reading may include: Mythologies, Image-Music-Text, S/Z, The Pleasure of the Text, Sade Fourier Loyola, Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes, A Lover's Discourse, and Camera Lucida.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Private study time will be dedicated to the module readings, engagement with cultural artefacts, essay preparation, exam revision and writing.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance monitoring and seminar discussion will ensure that students follow the module and keep up with the readings. Students are required to deliver a presentation (compulsory but unassessed), ensuring participation and informal peer review.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 - 3000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 15/03/2019

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