Lesson 3: Structuralism, semiotics, and cultural artifacts

Question 1

How are structuralism and semiotics related?

Answer 1

Both fields emerged primarily in the 20th century, and focus on understanding the underlying structures that shape meaning, culture, and human behaviors.

Question 2

An intellectual movement that seeks to understand the underlying structures that govern human culture, language, and society.

Answer 2

Structuralism

Question 3

What is the core idea of structuralism?

Answer 3

Human behavior, culture, and thoughts are not individual or random but are shaped by underlying systems or structures that can be identified and analyzed

Question 4

What are the key concepts of structuralism?

Answer 4

Systems and relations
Binary Oppositions
Deep structures

Question 5

This key concept has structuralists believe that everything exists in relation to other things within the system

Answer 5

Systems and relations

Question 6

Example of systems and relations

Answer 6

any

Question 7

Looking for pairs of opposites or contrasts as a way to understand the structure of thought that inform culture and language

Answer 7

Binary opposition

Question 8

Example of binary oppositions, explain

Answer 8

Gollum/Smeagol & Bilbo, Deku & Shigaraki, Eren and Reiner, Rapunzel’s biological mother & Gothel, any

Question 9

The structuralists argue that beneath the surface of any given culture or phenomenon, there are hidden structures (such as unconscious mental frameworks or social norms) that govern behavior and meaning

Answer 9

Deep structures

Question 10

Example of any Deep structures

Answer 10

backstories, and any

Question 11

Study of signs and symbols, and how they generate meaning. It explores how language, gestures, objects and other forms of representation function as “signs” that communicate within a particular cultural or social context

Answer 11

Semiotics

Question 12

Three main components in semiotics

Answer 12

Sign (signifier and signified)
Codes
Connotation and denotation

Question 13

Basic unit of meaning in semiotics. It consists of two parts: ____ & ____

Answer 13

Sign; signifier(from of the sign), signified (concept or meaning)

Question 14

A system of rules or conventions that govern how signs are used and interpreted. They are culturally specific, and different cultures or communities might use them differently to interpret same signs

Answer 14

Codes

Question 15

___Literal or primary meaning, referring often to the dictionary meanings
___secondary often cultural emotional meaning

Answer 15

Denotation; Connotation

Question 16

2 examples each for Signs, Codes, Connotation & denotation

Answer 16

Any

Question 17

His work on structuralism laid the foundation for semiotics, especially his ideas about arbitrary nature o signs and the relational aspect of meaning

Answer 17

Ferdinand de Saussure

Question 18

He applied structuralist ideas to the study of myths, kinship , and cultural systems

Answer 18

Claude Lévi-Strauss

Question 19

He combined structuralist and semiotics approaches, examining how texts (literary, cultural, visual) create meaning through signs and their relationships

Answer 19

Roland Barthes

Question 20

Key ideas of semiotics

Answer 20

Language is a system of signs; Meaning is constructed through the relationships between signs; Cultural phenomena (myths, rituals, art etc.) can be analyzed as systems of signs