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M.A. Cognitive Semiotics
Aarhus University
| Application deadline: | 15 March |
| Tuition fee: |
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| Start date: | September 2013 |
| Credits: | 120 ECTS |
| Duration full-time: | 24 months |
| Languages: |
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| Location: |
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| Disciplines: | |
| Delivery mode: | On Campus |
| Educational variant: | Full-time |
Description
Semiotics is, in essence, the study of signs and meaning. At the Center for Semiotics at Aarhus University, this study incorporates a broad range of disciplines, including aspects of linguistics, philosophy, cognitive science, neuroscience, literature and the arts. The centre is an interdisciplinary melting pot, receiving frequent visits from international and Danish scholars who meet to share and explore ideas and conduct research. The atmosphere is open, professional and international. The main subject area of cognitive semiotics is human meaning construction. This encompasses the exploration of the interrelationship between language, thought and perception, in addition to the relationship between the physical properties of the brain and human cognitive abilities. This is a complex domain, and the exploration of these issues has barely begun. Therefore, students will not only be taught facts and established truths, but also how to formulate and test good hypotheses. This includes an introduction to the methodology involved in setting up the different kinds of experiments necessary to test given hypotheses. Our aim is to give competent students the opportunity to actively contribute to ongoing research projects, and to encourage their contribution to conferences, both through organisation and presentation. Similarly, we expect students to be rationally inquisitive, constructively critical, active, eager for knowledge and hardworking. This programme can provide the framework for a highly qualified and illuminating education in human meaning construction. However, in order to realise the potential this structure provides, it is necessary for the student to imbue it with commitment, enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity.
Description of content
The MA in Cognitive Semiotics programme is comprised of a four-semester curriculum and offers an introduction to, and training in, contemporary methods and theories in the study of meaning, with a focus on the cognitive sciences. The programme includes five standard modules: Cognitive Semiotics, Cognitive Aesthetics, Cognitive Linguistics, Research Methods, and Mind and Cognition. In each module, focus is on the cognitive and neurocognitive theories that are relevant to the topic in question. Research seminars and an extensive programme of international conferences and symposia throughout the year create a study environment where free discussion and inventiveness are encouraged. Graduates from the MA in Cognitive Semiotics programme will be highly qualified consultants in all fields of communication, across all media. The MA in Cognitive Semiotics programme is furthermore appropriate for all students who intend to pursue their academic career within a PhD programme.
Contents
Education
Module 1
Cognition and Semiotics
An introduction to standard theories concerning the types of mental processes and mental structures universally involved in human meaning making (in thought, perception, or language).
The aim of this module is to provide students with solid insights in the basic tenets of human cognition and further their capacity to comprehensively understand and analyze meaningful whether linguistic, visual or aesthetic phenomena.
Exam: 10 ECTS
Module 2
Cognitive Linguistics
The cognitive processes involved in the use of language, and a usage-based theory with focus on the relation between language and other cognitive functions such as perception, attention, memory etc.
Besides the theoretical part there is also practical text analysis where students will get a more solid understanding of the means whereby a writer activates models of the world in the mind of the reader. Both fictional and non-fictional texts will be used.
2 exams, each of 10 ECTS
Module 3
Mind and Cognition
An overview of theories about memory, creativity, reasoning, decision making, perception, the evolution of language and culture etc.
Why do we see illusionary contours in certain visual illusions? What are some of the basic principles of creativity? What distinguishes human behaviour from other primates? What are the neural underpinnings of the mind?
Besides the theoretical part there is also practical text analysis where students will get a more solid understanding of the means whereby a writer activates models of the world in the mind of the reader. Both fictional and non-fictional texts will be used.
3 exams, each of 10 ECTS
Module 4
Cognitive Aesthetics
This module aims to establish the correlation between "normal", everyday cognition and the enhanced form of meaning making present in aesthetic cognition.
The artful mind is a window to the mind tout court. By studying the former we learn to know what is significant to the latter, why it is so, and how artists exploit this state of affairs in producing significant beauty.
2 exams, each of 10 ECTS
Module 5 Optional topic
The fifth is an exam in a freely chosen topic, either taken as a course at the center or at another department.
Exam: 10 ECTS
Module 6 MA Thesis
The sixth module is the MA Thesis
Exam: 30 ECTS
ACADEMIC regulations:
Requirements
In general, admission to a Masters degree programme taught in English requires successful completion of a relevant and recognised university degree equivalent to a Danish Bachelors degree in level and contents.
The admission requirements for a specific Master's programme are stated in the academic regulations of the programme in question.
Thus, to facilitate our assessment of your qualifications, you must submit documents describing the general and specific contents of your Bachelor's programme - preferably including descriptions of courses taken for credit - although some programmes do not require this. Please check the specific application page for information about documentation requirements.
English Language Requirements
| IELTS band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL paper-based test score: | 560 |
| TOEFL internet-based test score: | 83 |
IELTS
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