Auli Viidalepp

researcher in (techno)semiotics

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Technosemiotics (6 ECTS), autumn semester 2025, University of Tartu

Technosemiotics (FLSE.00.361) course information »

The course introduces technosemiotics as a novel research framework that bridges the studies of technology, the environment and the sociocultural sphere. We explore the intersecting theories and concepts from cultural and ecosemiotics, science and technology studies and environmental humanities. We relate the learned concepts to current and pressing technological, political and environmental challenges, analysing a variety of use cases from envirotechnical and technosemiotic perspectives.

Objectives

The course aims to introduce intersectional concepts relevant to semiotics, science and technology studies, and environmental humanities. The semiotic applicability of the envirotechnical systems framework and related concepts will be given particular consideration. The conceptual toolkit will further be applied in the analysis of current, critical problems related to the topics of the course.

Learning outcomes

Students completing the course will be able to 1) orient in the main concepts bridging semiotics, environmental humanities and science and technology studies; 2) grasp main issues related to complex envirotechnical systems (e.g., AI); 3) critically assess and participate in current debates on technology, society and environment; 4) apply semiotic concepts to analyse current sociocultural, political and environmental issues.

More information on Technosemiotics in the study information system of the University of Tartu »