This blog post was written by our student ambassador Ana, who is a student of the semiotics programme at the University of Tartu.
It is the admission period at the University of Tartu and the future students from all around the globe are either preparing their applications for the desired programmes or still thinking which study programme would be the best choice for them. For those still thinking and considering, here is one great suggestion; how about studying Semiotics? I am a second-year MA student at the University of Tartu and in this blog, I will share my story, experience and adventures in studying Semiotics. Also, I will present the benefits of learning this amazing and inspiring programme to all future students and maybe even inspire some of you to choose this programme.
Why did I choose Semiotics at the University of Tartu?
I had a course ‘’Semiotics of Literature’’ back at my home university. We learned about the main concepts of semiotics. I was fascinated by it and started applying semiotics everywhere; from texts and movies to everyday life situations. I knew I had to continue studying semiotics on an academic level, so I started researching about studying possibilities and found the programme of Semiotics at the University of Tartu. Knowing about the great legacy of Tartu Moscow Semiotics School, I was immediately convinced that that programme was ideal for me and decided to apply and get in.
What is Semiotics at the University of Tartu all about?
When talking about the semiotics at the University of Tartu, it is important to mention Juri Lotman, a literary scholar, historian and one of the main representatives of the semiotics of culture, who founded the Tartu Moscow Semiotics School and thus created a great legacy which still lives today.
The programme of semiotics consists of 3 main fields; sociosemiotics, biosemiotics and semiotics of culture. There are special courses from each field along with general and introductory courses. The MA and PhD programmes of semiotics are open to international students, while the BA programme is only for Estonian-speaking students. The programme offers a plethora of research and study topics, so every student can find what interests them the most.
My story and benefits of studying Semiotics at the University of Tartu
Studying Semiotics here in Tartu is the best choice and the biggest dream come true for me. I have learned so much, I have developed new skills which I use daily and I have so many incredible and memorable moments from this programme. I was a part of the semiotics programme's own journal Hortus Semioticus, where I created and posted semiotics-related memes on the journal’s Facebook page, I volunteered at the conference organized by the department of semiotics dedicated to Juri Lotman’s 100th birthday 3 years ago, I helped to organize and participated in an online event with mini-lectures, introducing the programme to a wider audience and I presented at so many semiotic conferences.
Speaking of conferences, here are a couple of the most significant and important semiotic conferences: ‘’World Congress of Semiotics’’ (takes place every 2 years), ‘’Nordic Association of Semiotic Studies’’ or NASS for short (takes place every 2 years), ‘’Juri Lotman conference’’ (takes place annually), ‘’The Gatherings in Biosemiotics’’ (annually) and many more. The programme of semiotics also organizes various activities such as summer schools, workshops, guest lectures and the annual autumn field trips where nature and culture combine. As mentioned before, the programme has its own journals; Hortus Semioticus, where students can publish their papers and Sign Study Systems, founded by Juri Lotman himself. There is also a series of online thematic presentations called Semiosalong, where both students and scholars have a chance to present their topics via Zoom. Plus, the lecturers, staff and colleagues are the most remarkable people on the planet.
From conferences to extracurricular activities, the programme of Semiotics really has it all. So, if you haven’t decided yet, Semiotics can be your dream programme, because signs are all around us. As one of my professors said, and I quote: Vivat, crescat et floreat semiotica! (Long live, grow and flourish semiotics!)
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