Multimodality: Social semiotic and discourse analysis perspectives

Multimodality has in the recent years shifted our attention to meanings realised in modes other than the linguistic. Research in different disciplines has adopted multimodal perspectives, while the growing interest in multimodality has created a range of approaches that converse with various epistemologies. The two reading groups offered by the Centre for Multimodal Research this year will explore multimodality as it emerged in the work of Gunther Kress. This foregrounds the social semiotic, communication and discourse analytical perspectives. Marking almost a year from Gunther Kress’s death, the first session in both series will offer an introduction to his work. It will also include an introduction to multimodality and will set the agenda for the discussions in the light of the participants’ interests. No prior knowledge of the subject is required. However, participants are expected to engage in discussions and make short presentations on the basis of their readings from the list below.

SPRING TERM: March 30, 31, April 1, 2   10:30-12:00 and 13:00-14:30 

Online sessions via Moodle Blackboard Collaborate (open to UCL students only)

Facilitators: Sophia Diamantopoulou and Ruth Jacklin, UCL Institute of Education

This is an intensive programme entailing readings and seminars in multimodal discourse analysis and social semiotics. The sessions are run in collaboration with the Academic Writing Centre and are particularly tailored to the needs of MA students who are using relevant interpretative frameworks in their essays or MA thesis.

Self-registration for UCL students is open until will be open until 30th March https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=19871

SUMMER TERM: Fridays  June 5, 12, 19 and 26  10:30-12:30

Online group via Microsoft Teams

Facilitator: Sophia Diamantopoulou, UCL Institute of Education

This series of four two-hour sessions involves readings and discussions foregrounding research methods in multimodal research. These sessions are primarily for researchers who are using this interpretative framework and are interested in discussing their data in the light of the readings. These sessions are also open to non-UCL research students and staff. Online participation will be possible for a limited number of external participants.

The sessions will be followed by the Visual and Multimodal Forum online talks with various international speakers and participants are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

For more information visit: https://multimodalforum.wordpress.com/

Registration

The reading groups are offered by the UCL Centre for Multimodal Research and are open to all academic staff, postgraduate students at UCL, as well as students and staff from other universities with an interest in multimodality. This year all sessions will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams. The sessions are free to attend and can be booked online.

Registration can be made through the following link for UCL students and staff  https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=20423

All non-UCL researchers and students are welcome to contact sophia.diamantopoulou@ucl.ac.uk for their registration.

The sessions are open to those who are able to commit to all sessions in the series and participate actively in the discussions on the basis of the reading material prescribed for each session.

Readings

Bezemer, J., Jewitt, C., Diamantopoulou, S., Kress, G., & Mavers, D. (2012). Using a social semiotic approach to multimodality : researching learning in schools, museums and hospitals ((NCRM Working Paper Series).). NCRM

Bezemer, J. and Kress, G. (2016). Multimodality, Learning and Communication: A social Semiotic Frame. London: Routledge

Jewitt, C., Bezemer, J. and O’Halloran, K. (2016). Introducing Multimodality. London: Routledge

Kress, G. (1997). Before Writing: Rethinking the Paths to Literacy. London: Routledge

Kress, G. (2010). Multimodality: A Social Semiotic Approach to Contemporary Communication. Abingdon: Routledge

Kress, G. (2011).  Discourse analysis and education: A multimodal social semiotic approach. In R. Rogers (Ed.), An Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis in Education. New York: Routledge