Admission requirements
This course is a core module for students on the MA Book and Digital Media Studies, or exchange students admitted to this programme. Students from other programmes are welcome to approach the course coordinator for admission, but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Description
Since the second half of the 20th century, the concept of the book has been transformed radically. While physical books remain relevant, the rise of digital technologies has transformed the ways in which books are created, distributed, and consumed. This course focuses on the history, form and impact of the digital book, and evaluates its co-circulation with the printed book to the present day. It examines the roles and the activities of some of the key agents active in the world of the book (e.g. publishers, booksellers, libraries) and explores how their traditional responsibilities have transformed through the increased popularisation of the digital textual medium. The course offers a theoretical background and a practical introduction to some of the crucial technologies that have been developed for creating, enriching, storing and disseminating textual information in digital form. This course also offers students the opportunity to attend the Frankfurt Buchmesse, a valuable venue for observing contemporary publishing studies and making professional contacts.
Course objectives
Students
familiarise themselves with key concepts, definitions and models in the study of textual transmission and communication in the digital age, and reflect on these aspects in course assignments;
gain insight into the role of media as ‘transformative technologies’ and acquire insight into the lifecycle of digital objects’;
are familiarised with the way in which XML and related technologies can enhance the access to information;
develop a critical understanding of the development and changing roles of libraries, publishers, booksellers, and other agents of the book;
learn to assess the impact of a range of professional and institutional agents in the field of book and digital media studies;
learn to connect theoretical concepts and practical applications in the field of book and digital media studies
identify, reflect upon, and evaluate issues in book and digital media studies, particularly those pertinent to the digital book.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
Essay
Assignments
Take-home exam
Weighing
To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following:
Students need to carry out one practical take-home exam (20%), and complete three small assignments (15%). The final 65% will be determined by the grade for the final course essay.
To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
The resit consists of the same subtests as the first opportunity.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
A reading list will be provided at the start of the course.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal.