Master's Degree Programme in Semiotics
Structure and content of studies
The students of the programme pursue a Master of Arts degree which consists of 120 ECTS credits. The schedule for completion of the studies is two years.
The studies start with writing a personal study plan and with mandatory courses on semiotics as a discipline. Gradually the students move on to more specialised courses in specific fields of semiotic analysis, through which they will form the basis of their own Master's thesis.
The students take part in two seminars that are designed to support them in their Master's dissertation work. The first concentrates more on research skills and methodological questions, and the second allows the students to focus on their own field of specialisation and on the issues related to their Master's thesis.
The students of the programme will be assigned a major subject, in which they gain eligibility for post-graduate studies.
The full degree structure as well as further information about the study units are available online on WebOodi (no login required).
Courses, teaching and exams
The courses organized by the MDP in Semiotics are open to all students of the University of Helsinki. However, students admitted to the programme take precedence, and in general it is recommended to begin with basic studies organized by semiotics.
The current teaching programme and course descriptions is available on WebOodi. The MDP students are strongly encouraged to take all available courses arranged by the programme. Registration on WebOodi is required for all courses.
The programme aims at organizing courses for all study units during each two-year period. When no teaching for a study unit is organized during an academic year, it is possible to complete the unit at a faculty examination. Registration on WebOodi begins 20 days and usually ends 9 days before the examination.
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MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN SEMIOTICS 2011–2012
Course descriptions and registration in WebOodi. Registration starts at 9 o’clock, for period 1 on Tue 16.8.2011, period 2 Tue 20.10.2011, period 3 Tue 13.12.2011 and period 4 Tue 21.2.2012. If you cannot attend, please, remember to cancel your registration.
Note! The course descriptions will be in WebOodi in August.
Teaching periods
1 05.09.–21.10.2011
2 31.10.–16.12.2011
3 16.01.–02.03.2012
4 12.03.–04.05.2012
Places
PR Main Building
P Porthania
Vi1 Vironkatu 1
Master’s seminar (405349 MSE314, 10 cr)
Fri 14–16 P344 periods 1–4, prof. Ahti-Veikko Pietarinen.
Existential Semiotics (MSE304 / 401644 TMU250AE, 5 cr)
Mon 4–6 p.m. Vi1 sh346/3b, periods 1–2, prof. Eero Tarasti.
Kalevala’s Suite: Finnish myths in music (MSE306 or 403664 TSE140Aa, 5 cr)
Mon 2–4 p.m. U35 Lecture Hall, periods 1–2, MA Vesa Matteo Piludu.
SPRING 2012
Master’s seminar (405349 MSE314, 10 cr)
Fri 14–16 P344 periods 1–4, prof. Ahti-Veikko Pietarinen.
Semantics and pragmatics (405343 MSE308, 5 cr)
Thu 9-12 PR sl 4, periods 3-4, prof. Ahti-Veikko Pietarinen.
Peirce’s logic (405344 MSE309, 5 cr)
Fri 10-12 PR sl 4, periods 3–4, prof. Ahti-Veikko Pietarinen.
Musical semiotics MSE305 or 401684 TMU354AE, 5 cr)
Mon 4–6 p.m. Vi1 sh346/3b, periods 3–4, prof. Eero Tarasti.
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Exchange studies
The programme has multiple exchange agreements with foreign universities, and some of the courses are organised as intensive courses or workshops held by visiting experts. Students in the programme are also encouraged to make use of the international contacts by utilising, e.g., the Erasmus exchange agreements to further their knowledge in their chosen field of specialisation.
Exchange opportunities largely depend on the student's own activity in acquiring the required information and finding a suitable study location with the aid of the University's international office and especially the department's exchange coordinator. More information is available on Alma intranet (requires login). The exchange period should take place during the second year of studies, as first-year students (less than 60 ects at the University) generally cannot apply for student exchange.
Whom to contact
- With inquiries on completing a study unit, contact the person responsible listed on the study units page. (Click on study unit code for further information.) Contact information of the teachers is listed on the staff page.
- To negotiate completing a study unit by taking a course organized by other institutions inside or outside the University, contact Prof. Ahti Pietarinen.
- With inquiries on post-graduate studies, contact Prof. Ahti Pietarinen.
- With inquiries on other general studying issues, contact departmental coordinator Irma Vierimaa (irma.vierimaa(et)helsinki.fi).