In addition to general papers, we welcome submissions on the following themes. Papers will be first published on line — in a separate or general issue. When a body of papers on a particular theme is available print publication is planned.
The search in all themes is for a necessary role of semiotic analysis. While concepts and methods have been applied, and integrated, in many fields, it can be argued that a case for a more dominant role for semiotics in particular areas can be made.
These themes overlaps, and also allow theoretical and philosophical approaches.
These themes are continuing and papers can be submitted at any time.
Reviewers with specialist knowledge of relevant topics will be involved.
Please direct questions, abstracts and papers to the editor.
- Semiotic anthropology
How can semiotic concepts and methods assist in understanding of indigenous, and non indigenous, cultures. The pioneering work of Claude Lévi-Strauss into indigenous societies can be extended to include structures of religion and mythology, the human and the pre-human, governance and geo politics. The origins and nature of language and culture, human nature: the range of possible subtopics is wide, and can consider the relevance of astrological studies for understanding and reforming modern societies. Speculation on the Australian narrative into human and cultural evolution, commencing 70,000 years ago, are welcome.
2) Education and Semiotics
To what extent can semiotics provide a stimulus for education, at all levels — secondary, primary and tertiary, as well as adult and community. ? Is there a distinct role for its introduction as a discrete subject? Is a more prominent and distinct role within subjects like communication and language? Can it assist in foundational approaches in such subjects? Are there examples of current educational practices that can be shared? With the wide array of subjects on displays in journals and conference, can semiotics have some meta role in linking and indexing cross disciplinary studies, and facilitating core and general studies?
3) Technology
Although much semiotic study announces itself as a science, or scientific in method, in fact as a whole 20th century work comprises human or social sciences — focused on human agency, experience, culture and meaning making. Semiotics has joined a major modernist paradigm of human agency, interpretation and language, that delayed scholarly attention to media, where the mediation of experience was regarded as inauthentic and secondhand derivation of FTF or primary social acts.
Charles Pierce, as a seminal thinker, came from a scientific and mathematical background, at a time when social sciences were barely developed. He provides manifold examples from these fields, including scientific instruments such as the telescope, map, weather instrumentation and surveying tools, where semiotic agency is attributed to natural phenomenon.
This theme offers technology as a broad rubric, that includes and invites attention to scientific, medical and mathematical domains, in themselves and especially as they as integrated in digital media tools and environment.
4) Communication and Performativity
Forms of direct and indirect semiotic knowledge is widespread in communication studies. To what extend can this conceptual footprint be maintained or expanded? Is there a necessary and even sufficient role of semiotics in elaboration of studies into dyadic and small groups interaction. The approach can be interdisciplinary, reflecting the diversity of semiotic methods that can be variously, and conveniently, applied to communication literature. Gestures, conversation studies, functional language, actor and performance models: can semiotic help unify or coherent the current, apparently fragmented, approach to communication studies?
5) Geo-Semiotics
How do we conceive of the earth as a whole? Is there a modern equivalent of a natural philosophy? What conclusions are possible about geographical boundaries of societies — indigenous, colonial, nation state — and what are the consequences for territorial boundaries on governance and well being of societies? How do we respond conceptually to climate and other transborder problems? The theme can be extend to include inquiry to physical environment of cosmology, and scientific and theological (metaphysical) inquiries.
6) Artistic Review
Review papers on performance, music and visual art forms, particularly where a semiotic interpretation is welcomed even necessary to articulate events. For example, hyper active gestures in drama, multi form performance, and layered or indirect visual expressions.