Rhetoric and semiology

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

François Provenzano

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

General overview
This course is a synthetic and problem-oriented presentation of the main analytical tools that rhetoric and semiology can offer us. These two disciplines are focused on the operation of meaning in human discourse, verbal or nonverbal (we will concentrate on verbal discourse in this class, but the development of other systems of signification will be mentioned). We will describe different levels on which meaning is constructed, from the most basic unit, the sign, on up to more complex groupings, entire discourses delivered in particular interactive contexts.
This is, then, a conceptual progression, whose primary objective is to understand the articulation between semiology and rhetoric, mainly through a precise examination of the notion of a figure. Once trapped within the history of ancient rhetoric, this notion is at present at the centre of arguments and analyses, and on yet another hand finds itself being reworked on the basis of theories of enunciation from semiotics.
This conceptual progression constitutes the backbone of the course. It will be accompanied by a historical progression, situating each discipline in the context of its emergence and development ; and also by a series of case studies, which put the tools mentioned at the outset to a test, that of concrete discourse.
Course outline
N.B.: this outline is presented at this time, but it may be modified over the quadrimester.
1. Introduction
- Rhetoric and semiology: definitions, and justifying their association together
- The place and the purpose of the course in terms of the tendencies represented
2. Historical progression
- Rhetoric: emergence, decline and renaissance (over several centuries)
- Semiotics: from linguistics to marketing (a tempestuous history)
3. Conceptual progression
- The sign and its function
- The agency of discourse and discursive schemas
- Arguments, or the pathways of the logos
- Argumentation, or the logos in action
- Figures, at the intersection of semiotics and rhetoric
4. Case studies

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
a) recognise the main historical stages in the evolution of rhetorics and semiotics;
b) define the main concepts of rhetoric and semiotic analysis and understand the relations between them;
c) use these concepts to describe and analyse simple signs systems and discourses;
d) provide specific examples of general rhetoric or semiotic phenomena.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Good oral and written command of French.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures, with discussion between teacher and students. At the start of each session, students can ask questions about the preceding session.
The course does not anticipate practical work sessions, but some parts of the sessions will include the analysis of case study analysis by students and commented upon by the teacher.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face only (see above).

Recommended or required readings

A syllabus is proposed as the course goes by; it takes the form of a series of Powerpoint documents (electronic versions). Students will take notes during class; their presence in class is therefore compulsory. To complete their notes or study a subject in greater detail, they can refer to the following references which are provided for information and will be commented upon during the first class.
Sémiotique Jean-Marie Klinkenberg, Précis de sémiotique générale, Paris, Seuil, coll. « Points-essais », 2000.
Umberto Eco, Le Signe. Histoire et analyse d'un concept, adapté de l'italien par Jean-Marie Klinkenberg, Bruxelles, Labor, coll. « Média », 1988.
Jacques Fontanille, Sémiotique du discours, Limoges, Pulim, 1998.
Rhétorique Aristote, Rhétorique, Livres I et II : texte établi et traduit par Médéric Dufour, Livre III : texte établi et traduit par Médéric Dufour et André Wartelle, Paris, Gallimard, coll. « Tel », 1980-1991.
Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca et Chaïm Perelman, Traité de l'argumentation. La nouvelle rhétorique [1958], Bruxelles, Institut de Sociologie de l'Université libre de Bruxelles, 1970.
Groupe µ, Rhétorique générale [1970], Paris, Seuil, coll. « Points-Essais », 1982.
Roland Barthes, « L'ancienne rhétorique : aide-mémoire », Communications, 16, Recherches rhétoriques, Paris, Seuil, coll. « Points-Essais », 1994, pp. 254-333.
Olivier Reboul, Introduction à la rhétorique, Paris, PUF, coll. « Premier cycle », 1991.
Ruth Amossy, L'Argumentation dans le discours, Paris, Armand Colin, coll. « Cursus », 2006.
Georges Molinié, Dictionnaire de rhétorique, Paris, Librairie générale française, coll. « Le Livre de poche », 1992.
Michel Meyer (dir.), Histoire de la rhétorique. Des Grecs à nos jours, Paris, Librairie générale française, coll. « Le Livre de poche », 1999.
Philippe Breton, L'argumentation dans la communication, Paris, La Découverte, coll. « Repères », 2006.
Marianne Doury, Argumentation. Analyser textes et discours, Paris, Armand Colin, 2016.

Assessment methods and criteria

A single written exam, during the January session.
The exam will be made up of a section of closed questions and a section of open questions, which will test three types of knowledge/know-how: a) encyclopaedic knowledge concerning the history of rhetoric and semiotics; b) the understanding of concepts covered in class; c) skills in rhetorical/semiotic analysis.
Criteria :

• the relevance and accuracy of the answer ;
• the care in formulation ;
• synthesis capacity and articulation of ideas ;
• the spelling of names and concepts presented in class.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course will take place on Fridays (1st Term only), 11AM to 1PM, classroom Kurth. Resumption : Friday, 21/09/2018, 11AM.

Contacts

Teacher François PROVENZANO, chargé de cours Département de Langues et littératures françaises et romanes Service de Sciences du langage et rhétorique Place Cockerill, 3-5, bât. A2, 4000 Liège. Tél. 04 366 56 45 Mail : Francois.Provenzano@ulg.ac.be
Surgery hours: Wednesdays, from 9.30 to 11, office A2/4/4 (from September 19) Secretary Ariane Nusgens : 04 366 56 50

Items online