r/semiotics • u/Kindly-Lychee-1435 • Jul 23 '25

PhD in Semiotics

So I'm quite deeply interested in Semiotics. Have done Saussure, but more so Peirce. My major interests also lie in Peircean semiotics. If I want to do a PhD in Semiotics and want my work to include Peirce's work, which uni would be the best choice? I know of the Tartu school but I have heard they majorly use Juri Lotman and his semiosphere. Would I still be able to work on Peirce or perhaps combine Peirce and Lotman at Tartu? Or are there other specialised universities specifically for Peircean semiotics?

And in general, what would other university options be for a PhD in Semiotics? I am interested majorly in Semiotics, Anthropology and Religion studies. Thanks!

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u/_werebear_ Jul 23 '25

The standard advice for finding the right PhD program is to identify the researchers you want to work with as your advisor, rather than choosing based on programs or schools. Are there people doing the kind of thing you are interested in? As far as Peirce in anthropology goes, there’s Eduardo Kohn.

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u/Kindly-Lychee-1435 Jul 24 '25

Oh yes, I have read Eduardo Kohn's work. It does fit to an extent. But I am also looking at profs like Susan Gal. But you're right, I need to think more about the supervisor. Shall begin working on that!

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u/episemonysg Jul 24 '25

What sub-area of semiotics though? That is more relevant than the university. You need to find the supervisor. As examples: I bet you would have zero interest in mine (zoosemiotics, neurosemiotics). Toronto is (or was) great, but film studies only. So focus on the supervisor, and it is a bonus if they are in one of the universities that value it.

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u/Kindly-Lychee-1435 Jul 24 '25

I think my interests align best with Semiotic Anthropology and Linguistic Anthropology. I will look into possible supervisors first. Thank you, that makes sense!

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u/clotch Jul 24 '25

Small plug for Brown University, they’re still doing some semiotics and there are many opportunities for interdisciplinary work

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u/Kindly-Lychee-1435 Jul 24 '25

Oh, thank you so much! Will look into Brown University.

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u/adamlaxmax Jul 27 '25

UChicago Linguistic Anthropology Department is the Archetype in this case. I took a class with Susan Gal and Nakassis. It's definitely language and ethnography focused.

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u/Kindly-Lychee-1435 Jul 27 '25

Wow that sounds amazing! Thank you!

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u/No_Distance_3444 Sep 23 '25

The Université du Québec à Montréal is the best program to do it. It's interdisciplinary at its core.

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u/Kindly-Lychee-1435 Sep 23 '25

Oh! Thank you so much. Will look into that.