Triennial
Report: Research and Teaching Activities (2000-2003)
Patrick John Coppock
In the triennial period 2000-03,
our research has focused on three main research threads.
1. A first thread has
investigated issues relating to modalities
of communication in relation to the various expression forms of expression
adopted: written, oral, and the transformation of production norms in connection
with the adoption of new technologies in this connection. In particular, the
relationship between the semiotic nature of the medium supporting such forms of
expression (i.e. writing vs. orality, writing vs. multimedia technologies), and
the actual systems of social and interpersonal norms that regulate canonical forms
of communication in these media. There are especially two discursive regimes in
which this problem occurs with particular regularity and centrality: in
popularizing scientific discourse and in science pedagogy and teaching. In both
these cases transmission and communication of knowledge is bound by a double
system of norms: that of the socio-cultural community of reference (eg rules of
discourse defined as 'scientific' or the parameters of pedagogical discourse)
and those more specific norms related to the semiotic organization of a given
discourse register (the scientific text, multimedia communication, interaction
via the Internet, etc.).
On these themes a
number of articles and a volume edited by the author have been published in the
course of this triennial period.
The research project, which
is continuing with particular focus on issues regarding the integration of new
communication technologies in educational and training settings: in the development
and evaluation of new curricula, study programs, teaching materials and
teaching forms in digital virtual environments, was started up already in 2003
and is to be incorporated in 2004 into the Online Degree Course in
Communication and Marketing.
In the near future it is
mainly in this area that our research is to be focused, extending our analysis
of the transformation and development of systems of norms for scientific
communication to cover phenomena that arise with the integration of new digital
communication technologies in higher education settings of this kind.
2. Alongside this main line
of research, we have also carried out in-depth studies of issues relating to forms
of social communication in traditional
and new media (journalism online). In particular, we analyzed a case of
media treatment of a sports conflict, comparing how discursive perspectives on one
and the same event on the part of three different media cultures (Italian,
Swedish, Danish) were constructed. This work is part of a larger research project
in a combined socio-semiotic and cultural semiotics framework aimed at examining
in depth institutionalized forms of social communication in different European
cultures (in particular northern Europe vs. Mediterranean countries).
A further development of
this line of research is be a project, at present in an initial programming phase,
aimed at examining the semiotics of institutional and corporate organization,
with particular focus on the internationalization domestic of institutions and
companies, especially small and medium-sized local enterprises.
3. A third line of research
has addressed problems of a more theoretical character, examining the theme,
much discussed today, of the mind-body-environment
relationship. In contemporary thought, this problem lies not only at the
heart of the broader semiotic debate, but also of discussions in various
philosophical domains, and also in the cognitive sciences and neurosciences. In
semiotics in particular, this theme has initiated a series of reflections on
the roles of embodiment, perception, and sensibility in the construction of
meaning. This research in particular takes account of the contribution of the philosophical
and cognitive semiotics of Charles Sanders Peirce, deemed crucial for a fruitful
theoretical definition of this particular problem.
Publications
2001, (ed.), The Semiotics
of Writing: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on the Technology of Writing,
Turnhout: Brepols.
"Introduction",
in 2001 Coppock (ed.), The Semiotics of Writing, Turnhout: Brepols: 7-35;
"Identity, audience
research and writing," in Coppock, 2001 (ed.), The Semiotics of Writing,
Brepols: 37-62
2002, "Charles Sanders
Peirce and the Mind-Body-World Relation, VS 92/93 2002: 135-167, also published
online, as Research Report 03-4, of the Department of Social Sciences,
Cognitive and Quantitative, Universitˆ degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
2003, "Semiotica dei nuovi media e nuove modalitˆ di formazione" 94/95/96 VS, 2003:
71-82, also published online, as Research Report 03-13, Department of Social
Cognitive and Quantitative Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
In press, "Parliamo di Jens: il trattamento mediatico d'un
conflitto di interesse sportivo"
in Guerra di Segni, Proceedings of
the National Congress of the Italian Association of Semiotic Studies,
Castiglioncello, 8-10 November 2002. Also online, as Research Report 03-11, Department
of Social Cognitive and Quantitative Science, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia.
Participation
in research projects and conferences
In 2001 participated with
Sandro Rubichi and Cesare Fantuzzi (Faculty of Engineering, Reggio Emilia) in
development of an industrial research project on communication and
human-machine interaction in cooperation with the enterprise New Holland,
Modena.
In 2002 participated in
development of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the launch of a European
Network of Excellence: CONVERGENET, convergence of old and new media and social
development and culture. Coordinator: Universitetet i Oslo, Norway.
In 2002 championed the
development of an application for European funding for a feasibility study for a
European Joint Master in Social Communication, with H¿gskolen i Agder, Norway,
Universitad di Valencia, Spain, Universitet Posnan, Poland.
In 2004 participated in
preparation of an application for research funding for the national COFIN research
project "Semiotica del turismo" coordinated by the University of
Bologna, in cooperation with the Universities of Bergamo, Palermo, Rome and
Siena.
Has also participated, with
presentations or as discussant at the round tables in several national and
international conferences held at the Universities of San Marino, Bologna,
Messina, Trondheim Norway, and at Castiglioncello, Rimini and Rossena.
Courses
Taught:
In the academic year 2000/2001
taught (contract) courses in Semiology of Cinema and audiovisual media (70 hrs)
and Theories and Techniques of New Media (without remuneration, 60 hours) and
semiotics (supplemental, with remuneration, 70 hours) for the Degree Course in
Communication Science at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy (Reggio Emilia),
UNIMORE; in the academic year 2001/2002 taught Semiotics (60 hours) for the
Degree Course in Communication Science at the Faculty of Communication and Economic
Science (the Reggio Emilia), UNIMORE; in the academic years 2002/2003 and
2003/2004 taught Semiotics (60 hours), both for the Degree Course in
Communication and Economic Science, and for the Degree Course in Communication
and Marketing of the Faculty of Communication and Economic Science (Reggio
Emilia), UNIMORE
Organizational
Responsibilities:
In the academic years 2001-2003: Delegate for
International Relations for the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and
Economic Science; has served on various faculty committees ( 'rules and norms',
stage, library). At present member of the Collegiate Committee of the Doctorate
in Theoretical and Applied Social Sciences; and supplementary member of the Examination
Board of this same Doctorate. President of the polling station for the election
of representatives of university researchers and currently representative for university
researchers on the Faculty and Departmental Boards.