Roland Barthes’sRoland Barthes’sThe Structuralist ActivityThe Structuralist Activity

Student EditionStudent Edition

Based on a presentation by: Liane KatzensteinBased on a presentation by: Liane Katzenstein

Created by: Brett AderCreated by: Brett Ader

Edited By: Dr. PicartAssociate Professor of EnglishCourtesy Associate Professor of Law

What is Structuralism?What is Structuralism?

Saussure’s TermsSaussure’s Terms

Signifier/Signified

•Signifier- __________________________________•Signified- __________________________________

•Example?

Saussure’s Terms Saussure’s Terms ContinuedContinued

Synchronic/Diachronic

•Synchronic- _________________________________ ____________________________________________

•Diachronic- __________________________________ ____________________________________________

Can you define and give Can you define and give an example of an example of Simulacrum?Simulacrum?

Discussion QuestionDiscussion QuestionBy studying the form rather than the content, what does that do to the author’s message?

DissectionDissection

Dissection- Dissection- ____________________________________________________________________________________ or ____________ or “mobile “mobile fragments”fragments”

ArticulationArticulation

““Once the units are posited (Fixed), Once the units are posited (Fixed), structural man must discover in them structural man must discover in them or establish for them certain rules of or establish for them certain rules of association” (Barthes 1129)association” (Barthes 1129)

Form- _____________________________ Form- _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What similarities or differences do you see between Barthes and

Foucault?

What are Barthes’ Goals of What are Barthes’ Goals of Structuralism?Structuralism?

Accusations Against Accusations Against StructuralismStructuralism

•Structuralism emphasizes synchronic over diachronic and thus fails to account for historical change

Discussion Question:

Do you believe that this statement is true?