University of Tartu, Department of Semiotics : curriculum

Bachelor's studies
Master's studies
Doctoral studies

Curriculum version confirmed 3/28/2008

Title of curriculum: Semiotics and Culture Studies

BA studies in academic credits: 120
Nominal study period (years): 3
Entrance conditions: Secondary education or equal education of a foreign country.
Short description of the curriculum: Basic studies consist of one humanitarian field base module (16 CP / 24 ECTS) and the base module of semiotics and culture studies (16 CP / 24 ECTS). In the narrow field studies one must choose either the semiotics narrow field module (16 CP / 24 ECTS) or the culture studies narrow field module (16 CP / 24 ECTS) plus as an additional subject either of the two or the narrow field module from some other curriculum. In the specility studies one must either choose the semiotics specility module or the culture studies specility module (16 CP / 24 ECTS) plus as an additional subject either of the two or the specility module from some other curriculum. In addition to that, the curriculum includes two modules of elective subjects (8 CP / 12 ECTS), optional subjects (4 CP / 6 ECTS), and bachelor thesis or bachelor examination in semiotics and culture studies (4 CP / 6 ECTS).
Aims: Preparation of cultural analysts with interdisciplinary education competent theoretically and able to apply practical methods of analysis.
Documents delivered: BA diploma with academic record
Degree delivered: Bachelor in social sciences (semiotics and culture studies)

1. Obligatory Core Modules (32,0 CP)

Base module I (16 AP)

    FLEE.02.130 Basics of Academic Writing: Estonian Composition II (2 CP)
    FLEE.02.129 Estonian Orthography and Creative Composition I (2 CP)
    Foreign language (beginners' level) (4,0 CP)
    Courses in Cultural Studies (8,0 CP)
            FLKU.05.019 Cultural Histories I (2 CP)
            FLKU.05.020 Cultural Histories II (2 CP)
            FLAJ.07.198 History of European Ideas (2 CP)
            USUS.06.127 History of Religions (2 CP)
            FLGR.01.259 Intercultural Communication (2 CP)
            FLFI.00.001 Introduction to Philosophy (2 CP)
            FLAJ.07.199 Key Texts in the History of European Ideas (2 CP)
            USUS.06.128 Region in the Occidental Culture (2 CP)
            FLSE.00.216 The Basics of Semiotics (2 CP)

FLGR.02.460 The Heritage from Classical Antiquity in the European cultural tradition (2 CP)

Base module of semiotics and culture theory (16,0 CP)

    FLSE.00.140 History of Semiotics (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.138 Introduction to Culture Studies (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.137 Introduction to Semiotics (4 CP)
    MTAT.05.018 Logic I (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.225 Introduction to research methods in semiotics (2 CP)

2. Narrow Field Modules (32,0 CP)

Narrow field module: Semiotics (16,0 CP)

    FLSE.00.227 Biosemiotics and (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.128 J. Lotman and Tartu-Moskow Semiotic School (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.150 Seminar (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.022 Semiotics of Translation and the Theory of Translation (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.226 Theories of society and semiotics (2 CP)

FLSE.00.221 Traditions of Semiotics (2 CP)

Narrow field module: Culture Studies (16,0 CP)

    FLSE.00.224 Analysis of Culture (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.228 Ecosemiotics (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.150 Seminar (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.072 Theories of Ordinary Behaviour (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.223 Theories of Text (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.229 Discourse theories and practices (2 CP)

3. Speciality Modules (32,0 CP)

Obligatory module: Semiotics (16,0 CP)

    FLSE.00.231 Graduation Seminar (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.230 Qualitative Methods in Semiotics (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.129 Semiotics of Culture (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.054 Semiotics of Language and Theories in Linguistics (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.068 Sociosemiotics (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.158 Zoosemiotics (4 CP)

FLSE.00.158 Zoosemiootika (4 AP)

Speciality modules: Culture Studies (16,0 CP)

    FLSE.00.231 Graduation Seminar (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.155 Semiotic analysis of subcultures (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.148 Semiotics of Art (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.244 Semiotics of City (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.245 Semiotics of Landscape (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.149 Semiotics of Literature (4 CP)

4. Elective Subject Module (8 CP)

    FLSE.00.234 Authorial semiotics I (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.195 Basics of Semiotics (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.139 History of Culture (4 CP)
    FLFI.03.036 Introduction to Philosophy of Language (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.003 Introduction to the Theory of Culture (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.215 Medicine as Culture (2 CP)
    FLFI.03.007 Philosophy and Methodology of Science (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.160 Semiotic analysis of mentality (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.152 Semiotic Narratology (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.233 Semiotics of Advertising and Marketing (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.232 Semiotics of Film (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.235 Semiotics of Media (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.156 Semiotics of Space (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.159 Semiotics of versification (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.142 Theoretical Semiotics (4 CP)
    FLKU.03.025 Transformation of Everyday Life in Estonia (4 CP)
    FLKU.03.027 Visual Anthropology (4 CP)

5. Optional Subjects (4,0-12,0 CP)

6. Graduation Thesis or Graduation Examination (4,0 CP)

FLSE.00.240 Graduation Examination in Semiotics and Culture Studies (4 CP)
FLSE.00.241 Graduation Thesis in Semiotics and Culture Studies (4 CP)

Subjects providing transfer to MA studies:

Basic module of the curriculum subject 16 AC
One direction module 16 AC
Optionally from specialty modules 4 AC

Curriculum version confirmed 3/28/2008

MA studies in academic credits: 80
Nominal study period (years): 2
Entrance conditions:
1. BA degree or equivalent education.
2. MA entrance candidate must have collected 36 AC in semiotics and culture studies: basic module of the curriculum subject (16 AC), one direction module (16 AC) and 4 AC optionally from specialty modules.
Short description of the curriculum: Master studies teaches semiotics and culture studies more profoundly as a theoretical and methodological basis for cultural-, life and social sciences and enables specialization according to the theme of one’s master thesis and research project. Master curriculum consists of: 1.Basic courses 20 CP / 30 ECTS 2.Specialized courses 36 CP / 54 ECTS 3.Selective courses 4 CP / 6 ECTS 4. Master thesis 20 CP / 30 ECTS
Aims: In MA studies knowledge fundamentals of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research will be gained taking into account relations between semiotics and culture studies. MA studies provide prerequisites for engagement as a cultural analyst or specialization in more narrow trends of the subject.
Documents delivered: MA diploma with academic record
Degree delivered: Magister in semiotics and culture studies

1. General Studies (16,0 CP)

    FLKU.00.149 Current Topics in Selected Fields of Contemporary Semiotics and Culturology (4 CP) (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.162 Applied Semiotics (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.118 Current Topics in Selected Fields of Contemporary Semiotics and Culturology (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.236 Seminar I (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.161 Semiotics and Methodology of Sciences (4 CP)

2. Speciality modules (36,0 CP)

    FLSE.00.169 Disciplinare Sociosemiotics (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.167 Disciplinary biosemiotics (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.165 Disciplinary semiotics of culture (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.168 Interdiciplinary socioanalysis (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.222 Interdisciplinary Analysis of Culture (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.166 Interdisciplinary Ecology (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.170 Master's Seminar (8 CP)
    FLSE.00.242 Semiotics of Text (4 CP)

3. Elective subjects (4,0 CP)

(for instance:)
    FLSE.00.237 Authorial semiotics II (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.238 Authorial semiotics III (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.195 Basics of Semiotics (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.171 History of relations between culture and nature (2 CP)
    FLKN.01.120 Memory and Culture (2 CP)
    FLKU.05.052 Narrative Theory (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.172 Representation analysis (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.217 Semiotics of Landscape (4 CP)
    FLSE.00.174 Semiotics of Tartu-Moscow School (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.173 Sociocultural semiosis (2 CP)
    FLKU.05.161 Theatre Semiotics (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.239 Tourism Semiotics and Theories of Tourism (2 CP)
    FLKU.03.027 Visual Anthropology (4 CP)

4. Optional subjects (4,0 CP)

5. Master's thesis (20,0 CP)

FLSE.00.243 Master's Thesis (20 CP)

Curriculum version confirmed 3/28/2008

Name: Semiotics and Culture Studies
PhD studies in academic credits: 240 ECTS
Nominal study period: 4 years
Entrance conditions:
1. Applicants for PhD study must hold a Master's degree or other equivalent qualification.
2. Admission requirements are set out in UT Admission Rules.
Brief description: The volume of doctoral studies is 240 ECTS of which doctoral courses amount to 60 ECTS and research paper to 180 ECTS. Doctoral courses comprise specialty courses (36 ECTS), university-wide elective courses (12 ECTS), university teaching practice (6 ECTS) and optional courses (6 ECTS). A doctoral candidate carries out research under the supervision of a supervisor or a supervisor and co-supervisor(s) approved by the council of the faculty. The results of research are presented as a doctoral thesis that is defended in a public discussion (exceptionally, in a closed discussion) at a meeting of the council of the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics. The requirements applicable to doctoral theses have been set out in the Statutes of Research Degrees of the University of Tartu. In order to gain international study and work experience, a student should study and/or do research in a foreign university or research institution of at least one semester.
PhD students' progress in research is evaluated once each academic year by an Evaluation Board.
Aims: The general aim of the Curriculum is to raise the level of knowledge and skills to the standard expected of speciality professionals and recognised in the international research arena. PhD students are prepared for employment as teaching or research staff members of the University or other research institutions, or as lead professional specialists in non-academic establishments. The principal components of quality research-based education possessed by PhD-holding specialists are state-of-the-art knowledge in their speciality, speciality research skills, a comprehensive scientific worldview and competence in development work, management and teaching.
Documents delivered: Doctoral (PhD) diploma with academic record
Degree delivered: Doctor (PhD) of Philosophy (Semiotics and Culture Studies)

1. Speciality Subjects (36 ECTS)

Principles of module selection: These subjects are obligatory to every PhD student of semiotics and culture studies.
Objectives: The aim of the speciality subjects is to deepen one�s knowledge of the field and skills to pass this knowledge on during teaching.
    FLSE.00.205 Disciplinary Semiotics and Theory of Culture (6 ECTS)
    FLSE.00.204 Doctoral Seminar (12 ECTS)
    FLSE.00.246 Methodology of humanities (6 ECTS)
    FLSE.00.207 Methodology of semiotical analysis (6 ECTS)
    FLSE.00.206 Transdistsiplinary Semiotics and Theory of Culture (6 ECTS)

2. University-wide elective courses module (12 ECTS)

Objectives: The aim of the university-wide elective courses module is to develop skills transferable to contexts outside their academic field of study, including, to obtain an overview of research ethics, to learn as how to build interdisciplinary connections across research disciplines, and to improve students' skills of oral and written expression, leadership and teaching.
Learning outcomes: The learning outcomes of the module derive from the outcomes of the selected courses
    SOZU.01.191 Academic Self-expression (2 CP)
    FLFI.02.095 Academic Writing (2 CP)
    ARTH.02.063 Bioethics (2 CP)
    MTAT.03.191 e-Learning Technologies in Higher Education (2 CP)
    FLFI.00.052 Ethics and Methodology of Science (4 CP)
    SORG.00.017 European Research and Higher Education Area (2 CP)
    HTHT.00.141 Introduction to information reserarch (2 CP)
    HTHT.00.009 Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (4 CP)
    MJJV.03.136 Management (4 CP)
    FLEE.02.116 Oral Presentation (2 CP)
    USUS.03.096 Public Speaking (2 CP)
    LOLO.00.037 Science communication (2 CP)
    FLSE.00.247 Semiotics (3 CP)

3. Practical Teaching (6 ECTS)

Objectives: The aim of the practice of teaching is to give the experience of teaching in the university to the students under the supervision of a professor.
FLSE.00.208 Practical Teaching Course (6 ECTS)

4. Optional Subjects (6 ECTS)

Objectives: The aim of optional courses is to allow to the student to choose subjects outside of the curriculum to widen and deepen the competence.

5. Doctoral Thesis (180 ECTS)

Objectives: The aim of the scientific research done by the doctorate student is to acquire the skills and techniques of conducting an independent research as a result of which a research paper is compiled which presents an argumentation and original solution of a certain problem in a specialty field of study and which presupposes the publication of at least three scientific articles in the leading specialty journals with the international spread. The research of the doctorate student must be carried our based on an individual plan, which has been composed with the supervisor. The result of the scientific research is the compilation of doctoral thesis, either a monographic research or a series of articles.
FLSE.00.220 Doctoral Thesis (180 ECTS)